Buddleja (Buddleia) Pixie Blue

Buddleja Pixie Blue (Buddleia/Butterfly Bush) is an intriguing variety that closely resembles Buddleja Darts Papillon Blue. Weve had it on our nursery for nearly 20 years as part of a series that once included Pixie Red and Pixie White (though we no longer grow those).

While the name is often mistaken for a dwarf variety, Pixie Blue is anything but small! Among the nearly 70 Buddleja varieties planted in our long stock bed, this one stands out as a top performer for attracting butterflies. Throughout its impressively long flowering period, the plant becomes absolutely covered in butterflies. Its initial large blooms are followed by smaller flowers, both equally irresistible to pollinators.

In addition to its exceptional wildlife appeal, Pixie Blue features a lovely rounded growth habit and attractive grey-green foliage. Though it was originally promoted as a compact varietyintroduced before the popular Buzz seriessome believe the name refers to its flower shape rather than its size. Regardless of its origins, this is a fantastic choice for any garden, rewarding you with a spectacular display of butterfly-covered blooms all summer long.

• Height:Flowering to 2m
• Spread:Easily maintained to 2m
• Foliage Colour: Grey-green
• Flower Colour:Lavender blue
• Soil Type:Well drained, sandy, loam, chalk, clay
• Position:Full Sun – Partial Shade
• Hardiness:Hardy H5 (-10)
• Type:Deciduous Shrub

Supplied in a 2 Litre pot, this Buddleja is easy to grow and maintain. However, it may suffer from a few problems, which can be easily remedied through pruning. It is important to avoid pruning too hard or too early, as this can lead to new shoots growing through the winter months and being damaged by frost. The best time to prune is in October/November to shape the shrub and then again in late March/April for a more thorough pruning. This will not affect flowering and may even improve it.

Eelworm can also be a problem for Buddleja, causing yellow or brown blotches on leaves and deformed shoots. The best way to treat this is by cutting out affected branches and discarding them away from the garden. Despite these potential issues, Buddleja is a highly beneficial shrub for the garden. It attracts butterflies and other beneficial insects, adding interest and beauty to any outdoor space.

The Buddleja genus offers a wide variety of species and varieties, each with its own unique flower types, colors, and sizes. They are a popular choice for their stunning summer flowers and easy maintenance. So why not add a Buddleja Pixie Blue to your garden and enjoy the beauty and benefits it brings?