Butterfly bush

Buddleja davidii is a fast-growing and undemanding shrub from China, ideal for a wide range of positions in the garden, provided they are sunny and the soil well-drained with a little lime. There are numerous varieties, most of them desirable, including 'White Cloud', one of the best white kinds that does not fade so obviously as the flowering season advances. The long, heavy flowering heads transform the bush and make a stunning display for 4-6 weeks, attracting clouds of butterflies. Prune hard in spring to prevent tall leggy stems, bare at the base.