This is one I read about in the magazine Fine Gardening. It should be quite a nice addition to the front wildflower bed. I am thinking about an everblooming lilac, but that will be for some other day. Below are a few pictures I found and some info in case you want one too. Happy Hunting!
The Buddleia Bi-Color plants mature in the 5 to 6 feet height and by cutting back each winter more branching and more blooms will appear each and every subsequent season. The Bi-Color grows easily in any sunny, well drained area, yet also shows a drought tolerance and indifference to extreme heat and humidity.
Buddleias can be planted in full/partial sun with 4 to 8 foot spacing. They generally look their best in groupings of 3 to 5 plants. Alkaline soil (pH 6.5 to 7.0) is usually preferred. Fertilize in spring/summer with a slow release fertilizer. Deadheading them will keep the plants blooming longer during the season. Buddleias can be cut back nearly to the ground in winter. As they age, you may find yourself with more of a shrub that can be merely pruned in winter. One of the most common problems that buddleias experience is spider mites, which can be handled with regular (monthly) spraying of a miticide. Check for spider mites by taking a piece of plain white paper and placing it under several of the branches/leaves, tap the higher branches. If you see tiny red/rust colored spots on the paper, the plant is infected.
Good looking Buddleia, but are they invasive in the PNW ? I have one I planted when i first moved to Washington. Not as nice as that Bicolor. I hack it down to the ground every year. I found a self seeded one this year., so I can see how they can be a bit of a pest .
ReplyDeleteYour site is very informative. Thanks for visiting Points of the Rose. The Buddleia and egret flower are beautiful. Thanks for sharing your Washington gardening with us.
ReplyDeleteJeanette