BUDDLEIA DAVIDII NANHO 'BLUE'
Every now and then (ok then, quite often) I spot a must-have plant and even though I have absolutely no idea how I am going to find a space for it, I just had to have this buddleia today. Buddleia Davidii Nanho Blue has such bobby-dazzler flowers, a lavender blue with an orange centre, that even the lady at the sales counter remarked upon it, as did the lady in the car park before I could even get it safely tucked behind the seat of my car to bring it to its new home. I'm glad I grabbed it when I did from the Royal Horticultural Society display at Harlow Carr because there was only one of them.
Apart from the attractive blue panicles which will attract butterflies and other pollinators to my garden from June to September, this deciduous buddleia also has a relatively compact bushy habit (approx 150cm x 150cm - 5ft x 5ft), the stems are a maroonish red, the leaves greyish and pointed. Its overall growth habit appears delicate and willow-like, but this is a hardy shrub (H5, -15 to -10C) and suitable for growing in the north of England. At the moment it is less than 3ft (90cm) high and you can see in the image below (it's still in its pot) the growth habit. It likes sun or partial shade (preferably south or west facing) and it isn't fussy about the soil as long as it is well-drained.
Buddleia davidii Nanho Blue can be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in autumn but pruning should be done in early to mid spring as it produces flowers in summer on the current year's growth. Cut back (including any new shoots that might have grown in a mild spring) to within one or two buds of older wood to encourage a good display of flowers.
Had to laugh, Buddleia davidii Nanho Blue has been described as fragrant so I went out and pressed my nose against the flowers just now and it smells like beer to me. It's not strong though so it shouldn't make my garden smell like a brewer's yard. Perhaps it smells better from afar when there are masses of flowers. Time will tell. :D
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| Buddleia Davidii Nanho Blue 01072016 |
Buddleia davidii Nanho Blue can be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings in autumn but pruning should be done in early to mid spring as it produces flowers in summer on the current year's growth. Cut back (including any new shoots that might have grown in a mild spring) to within one or two buds of older wood to encourage a good display of flowers.
Had to laugh, Buddleia davidii Nanho Blue has been described as fragrant so I went out and pressed my nose against the flowers just now and it smells like beer to me. It's not strong though so it shouldn't make my garden smell like a brewer's yard. Perhaps it smells better from afar when there are masses of flowers. Time will tell. :D
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| Buddleia Davidii Nanho Blue 01072016 |