Buddley Of David

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Buddleja David (lat. Buddleja davidii) - flowering shrub; a representative of the Buddleya genus of the Norichnikov family. Previously, the genus was ranked as a member of the Buddley family. Another name for the species is buddley volatile. In nature, it grows in the mountains, along the banks of streams and rivers, along roadsides and among thickets of bushes in the western and central regions of China. The culture got its name in honor of the French naturalist Armand David. He is also the discoverer of the species in question.

Characteristics of culture

Buddleya David is a deciduous shrub or small tree up to 3-5 ms high with a spreading crown and branches drooping with sweat by the weight of inflorescences and large leaves. The branches are rather thin, slightly ribbed, dirty green in color. Old branches are fissured, dark gray or light gray. Leaves are lanceolate or oval-lanceolate, pointed at the tips, up to 25 cm long. From the outside, the foliage is dark green, from the back - yellowish or white tomentose.

The flowers are small, purple, fragrant, collected in dense drooping or erect spike-shaped inflorescences up to 35-40 cm long (sometimes up to 50 cm). Seeds are numerous, small, ripen in late September - early October. The buddleya of David blooms in August - September for 1-1, 5 months. Flowering occurs in the third year after planting. Flowers are pollinated by insects. Bright buds attract them with a sweet honey scent that flutters over long distances.

The species under consideration is distinguished by its rapid growth, resistance to harsh conditions, long and abundant flowering and the ability to develop on calcareous soils. Buddleya David is thermophilic; when grown in central Russia, it does not exceed 1.5 m in height. In severe winters, the shrubs freeze over a lot, but with the onset of warmth they recover and often bloom.

Garden forms and varieties

Currently, breeders have presented several garden forms and numerous varieties that can boast of special beauty and attractiveness. The varieties suggest a wide range of colors for large inflorescences. Varieties with pink, purple, white, lilac, violet, burgundy and red-raspberry inflorescences have been bred.

Garden forms:

* f. magnifica (beautiful) - represented by shrubs with dense and large inflorescences of pink-purple color, blooming in the second decade of August;

* f. Wilsonii (Wilson) - characterized by tall shrubs with arched branches and large mauve inflorescences;

* f. Veitchiana (Vicha) - represented by large shrubs with rich purple inflorescences, blooming in the first decade of August.

Popular varieties:

* Royal Red (Royal Red) - red-purple inflorescences;

* Cardinal (Cardinal) - raspberry-pink inflorescences;

* Black Knight (Black Knight) - dark purple inflorescences;

* Alba (Alba) - white inflorescences;

* Orchid Beauty (Orchid Beauty) - lilac-purple inflorescences;

* Empire Blue (Empire Blue) - purple-blue inflorescences;

* White Cloud (White Cloud) - white inflorescences;

* White Profusion (White Profusion) - white inflorescences (flowers with a yellowish center);

* Harlequin (Harlequin) - purple inflorescences and variegated leaves with an uneven creamy yellow border.

Buddleya Davila in the garden

Buddleya David is widely used in ornamental gardening. It is used in both single and group landings. It gets along well in union with other flowering shrubs, as well as annual and perennial flower crops. The plant looks great in collaboration with soil roses, St. John's wort, blizzard, jasmine and other plants.

Buddley of David should dominate when creating group plantings, in this case she will be able to fully reveal her attractiveness and beauty. By the way, it is not forbidden to grow the species in question in containers with which you can decorate a gazebo, terrace, patio and even a balcony. True, formative pruning will have to be given special attention.