Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) Buddleja alternifolia
Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) (Buddleja alternifolia) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Scrophulariaceae family, native to North-west China (Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan) and Tibet. It grows 3–4 m (10–13 ft) tall and 3–4 m (10–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) in your garden →
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Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Scrophulariaceae |
| Mature height | 3–4 m (10–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–4 m (10–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | North-west China (Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan) and Tibet |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇨🇳 China |
Is Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja)
- How far apart should I plant Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–4 m (10–13 ft).
- Does Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja)?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) flower?
- From about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fountain butterfly bush (alternate-leaved buddleja). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Long, arching, weeping branches wreathed in early summer with clusters of fragrant lilac flowers along last year’s wood, so prune it straight after flowering (not in spring like the common butterfly bush). Often trained as a small weeping standard. Introduced by Reginald Farrer in 1914.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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