Buddleja (Buddleia) davidii Castle School

A lovely variety with delicate pink flowers, the Buddleja davidii Castle School (also known as Butterfly Bush) is a unique addition to any garden. It blooms earlier than other varieties, starting in July, and was discovered as a chance seedling by Martin Hughes-Jones at Castle School in Tiverton, Devon. This shrub was introduced to the trade in 2004 and has a medium growing habit, reaching a height of 2m and a spread of 2m. Its lance-shaped grey-green foliage adds to its beauty, while its pinkish lilac flowers with a yellow eye are highly attractive to bees and butterflies.

• Height:Flowering to 2m
• Spread:Easily maintained to 2m
• Foliage Colour:Lance shaped grey green
• Flower Colour:Pinkish lilac with yellow eye
• Soil Type:Well drained, sandy, loam, chalk, clay
• Position:Full Sun – Partial Shade
• Hardiness:Hardy H6 (-15)
• Type:Deciduous Shrub

Perfect for a mixed border, this Buddleja thrives in well-drained, sandy, loam, chalk, or clay soil and can be planted in full sun or partial shade. It is hardy up to -15 degrees Celsius and is a deciduous shrub. You can choose between a 9cm pot or a 2 Litre pot when ordering.

Growing Advice: While Buddleja can suffer from a few problems, they are easily remedied through pruning. It is important to not prune too hard or too early, as this can lead to new shoots growing through the winter and being easily frosted. The best time to prune is in October/November to loosely shape the shrub, and then again in late March/April for a more thorough pruning. This will not affect flowering and can even improve it. Another issue to watch out for is eelworm, which can be treated by cutting out affected branches or shoots.

A broader view of the Genus: Buddleja’s are not only beautiful and easy to grow, but they also offer a wonderful benefit to insects. They come in a variety of flower types, colors, and sizes, making them a versatile addition to any garden. The flowers are a magnet for butterflies and other beneficial insects, adding to the overall interest and joy of having a Buddleja in your garden.