Buddleja davidii / Albero delle farfalle

Origin: China, Japan.

Botanical characteristics: It is a deciduous medium-sized fast-growing shrub with long arching branches. It has opposite lanceolate greyish-green leaves. Its summer bloom of panicles, composed of fragrant flowers, up to 30 cm long. Their colour ranging is from purple to cyclamen and attract butterflies.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It is very common, cultivated and naturalized in Europe along streams, road embankments, forests. It prefers well-drained and calcareous soils, but grows well in any soil in full sun. It is suitable for marine climates.

Use: It is used as an ornamental plant for its showy and long summer flowering , but is mainly used in mixed hedges and groups in parks and gardens. It blooms best if is pruned severely in early Spring.