Bay Area Plant Pick for June: Buddleja
Buddleja (or Butterfly Bush) is like a magnet for butterflies passing through the garden looking for nectar. Buddleja will flower from June to September in shades of purple, blue, pink, red and white. They are highly scented with sweet honey fragrant flowers and are best planted near a walkway or a patio for appreciation.
They are highly scented with sweet honey fragrant flowers and are best planted near a walkway or a patio for appreciation. Plant them in full sun in well-drained rich soil. Try pairing them with asclepias, yarrow, sages, erigeron, ceanothus, eriogonum and lavender for a slice of heaven.
Most Buddleja will grow 2 to 8ft high, depending on the variety. Buddleja do best with moderate watering about once a week until established. We recommend amending soil with E.B. Stone Planting mix and their Sure Start fertilizer, plus using a bark mulch on top to hold in moisture. Buddleja will establish and grow best with a good deep watering to encourage the roots to grow deep. New plantings may need two waterings a week initially in hot weather.
