Buddleia Empire Blue - Butterfly Bush
Buddleia Empire Blue - Butterfly Bush
Buddleja x davidii Empire Blue
Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac
The bush was delivered at a height of just about 25 cm (instead of the stated 60 to 80 cm, but this isn't the first time). Third order and once again disappointed—I won't be ordering from you again.
Damien, 16/11/2025
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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty
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Description
Buddleia davidii 'Empire Blue' is an elegant variety of butterfly bush: with a beautiful slender and flexible habit, dressed in green foliage doubled with grey-green felt, it is adorned from the heart of summer to the beginning of autumn with long slender panicles of bright blue-violet animated by the incessant flight of butterflies that come to feed on nectar in the small orange eye of each flower. Its cultivation poses no difficulty in ordinary soil, even mediocre and occasionally dry soil. The majestic Buddleias, often placed in the background, make a stunning centrepiece in large shrub borders and flowering hedges.
Buddleia davidii 'Empire Blue' is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub belonging to the family of buddlejaceae. This excellent American cultivar, introduced in 1942 by Good & Reese nursery (Ohio), is derived among others from the David's Buddleia, also called Father David's Buddleia or Changing Buddleia, a robust Chinese species that has become invasive. 'Empire Blue', always widely planted in gardens, received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993.
The bush has an open and slightly spreading habit, supported by arching branches, and will reach an average height of 3 m (9.8 ft) with a spread of 2 m (6.6 ft) within 5 or 6 years, depending on the growing conditions. It blooms from July to September to produce an abundance of 15 to 20 cm (7.9 in) long dense flower panicles. These flowers are blue-violet with an orange eye and release a sweet fragrance, very attractive to pollinators. The ornamental foliage of this butterfly tree consists of long leaves of a fairly dark green, with a more greyish underside. The leaves, 15 to 20 cm (7.9 in) long, are pointed and lanceolate. This very hardy shrub is resistant to urban pollution, adapts to poor soils, and does not suffer from occasional drought when planted in deep soil.
Whether planted individually or in groups, in a hedge, at the corner of a terrace, or at the back of a perennial border, Buddleia davidii 'Empire Blue' will enhance the garden in a unique way. Its inflorescences, visited by colourful butterflies, are a spectacle in themselves. They also highlight the pink or red flowers of repeat-flowering roses, the pink panicles of Sipree billardii, or the red, pink, or purple plumes of certain summer lilacs. You can also plant it in a mixed hedge, with botanical roses, serviceberries, hawthorns, ornamental apple trees, or other prunus. It adapts well to coastal areas and can be grown in containers on the terrace. Its fragrant flowers are also very attractive in bouquets. You can also plant this buddleia with vibrant yellow evening primroses and tall grasses (Miscanthus, Panicum, Deschampsia) for an elegant contrast.
Buddleia Empire Blue - Butterfly Bush in pictures
Plant habit
Flowering
Foliage
Botanical data
Buddleja
x davidii
Empire Blue
Buddlejaceae
Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac
Cultivar or hybrid
Planting and care
Buddleia davidii 'Empire Blue' is easy to grow, as it is a low-maintenance plant that adapts to a wide range of soils and climates. It enjoys sunny spots, but also blooms in partial shade. Plant it in spring or early autumn, in ordinary soil, even limestone and poor soil, but ensure it is well-worked and well-drained. Once well established, the plant can withstand periods of moderate drought, especially if planted in deep soil. David's buddleia has no significant enemies. However, beware of caterpillars, weevils, bugs and red spider mite that can invade it. Pruning vigorously after flowering and/or in early spring keeps the growth habit compact and encourages the bush to produce numerous flowers.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.