Buddleia 'Black Knight' (Butterfly Bush) – Scented Deciduous Shrub (2L Pot)

Buddleia 'Black Knight' is the darkest of the butterfly bushes, carrying long spikes of deep violet purple flower from July into September.

The flowers are honey scented and come in such numbers that the arching stems bow under them. Butterflies and bees work over them from morning to dusk, which is what this shrub is really for. Behind the flower the leaves are long and grey green with silvery undersides, so the plant looks soft even before it blooms.

This is a big, quick shrub, reaching two to three metres tall and almost as wide, and it is happiest in full sun on any soil that drains, chalk included. It stands wind and salt air, so it will do a job in an exposed or seaside garden, and once it is settled it copes with dry spells. Cut the whole plant back hard in March, to around thirty to forty five centimetres, and it flowers on the new wood the same summer. Left uncut it grows tall, goes bare at the base and gives less flower.

Buddleia seeds itself freely, so pull out any seedlings you find in walls, paving or waste ground. Supplied as an established plant in a 2L pot, ready to go straight into the garden.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Butterfly bush
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 2 to 3m tall by 1.5 to 2.5m wide
• Growth Habit: Vigorous, upright to arching deciduous shrub
• Perfect For: Borders, cottage gardens, wildlife planting and exposed or coastal gardens
• Foliage: Long, lance shaped grey green leaves with silvery white undersides
• Flowering Time: July to September
• Planting Position: Full sun or partial shade. Fully hardy, drought tolerant once established, and happy with wind and salt air.
• Soil Type: Any well drained soil, including chalk
• Hardiness: Fully hardy everywhere in Britain
• Maintenance: Low. Cut back hard in March and pull out any seedlings.
• Seasonal Interest: Summer and autumn
• Type: Hardy deciduous shrub

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