Sunday, August 08, 2010

Dwarf Butterfly Bush

Dwarf Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii 'Blue Chip'
(BUD-lee-uh) (duh-VID-ee-eye)
Synonyms: ‘Lo & Behold’

This is great new plant. It solves the problem of having Buddleja in the border without it growing enormously. This is the second year I have seen it but the first that we have actually planted it. Both of our plantings have formed a little carpet of color in an area that was previously carpeted by Juniper. In both cases it has been a 100% improvement. ‘Blue Chip’ is also on the list to replace some regular Butterfly Bush that has completely over grown its spot in a small border. Even after I was ready for it and cut the plants down to about 18 inches tall in the beginning of the season this just seem to encourage them to grow taller. You may have trouble finding the 'Blue Chip' variety, we were lucky and local nursery had 10 of them this spring (I bought them all). As a new introduction (2007) I am going to give this plant an A+ and five stars.

See more flowers from all over the world at Today’s Flowers .

Since it is Sunday here is the bonus flower. It is Variegated Canna Lily that has ben growing in a container with the dark red leaf/flowered ‘Australia’.


Canna Lily
Canna x generalis 'Striped Beauty'
(KAN-uh)
Synonyms: Bangkok, Christ's Light, Minerva

I would describe ‘Striped Beauty’ as a semi-tall Canna. It is nicely proportioned and a good bloomer. I had given up on growing Cannas a while back because of the virus but couldn’t resist their bold foliage and flower colors. So far, with fingers crossed on virus this season.

9 comments:

JJ said...

OUR BUDDLEIA TREE IS VERY UNTIDY DESPITE CUTTING IT BACK EACH YEAR.
I WILL LOOK OUT FOR YOUR SMALLER VERSION. THANKS FOR THE INFO AND LOVELY COLOUR.
JJ

eileeninmd said...

Love the buddleia, one of my favorites to attract butterflies. The bonus Calla is gorgeous too.

Unknown said...

i have seen a butterfly bush in botanical garden in Seattle. it's exquisite.

Lui said...

Another beautiful CannaLily and the first one really makes you go "lo and behold!" Haha!

Anonymous said...

My Low & Behold buddleia did not survive our very cold winter in Toronto. Your plant looks very strong and healthy. I love the Canna Lily flower, very nice shot.

Unknown said...

These are lovely shots.

Stephanie from GardenTherapy.ca said...

I always struggle with the messiness of my huge butteryfly bush - so what a great idea to have a dwarf plant. And I love that you can grow a canna in a container - I tried once but it was stunted so never bloomed.

Kathy said...

What a luscious shade of blue/purple!

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Beautiful, I have a butterfly bush again this year, not a dwarf, but they rarely make it through my zone 4 winter.