Interestingly, it owes its popularity not so much to beautiful flowers, but to the ability to attract numerous colorful butterflies, planting fragrant paniculate inflorescences.The nature of budlei is best reflected in the English name of the plant, meaning "butterfly bush".
Budleja Purple Splendor is a recommendable new hybrid variety with purple-blue flowers and an orange eye, obtained in the USA by Peter Podaras.The plant was introduced to the European market in 2012.In Poland, its premiere took place during the Plant Novelties Competition of the international exhibition "Green is Life" in 2014., to which she was registered by the Wróblewski Nursery Farm from Boronów near Częstochowa.
Budleja Purple Splendor is a shrub with upright stems and a compact, dense habit. It grows up to 1-1.5 m. Forms straight, four-crowned, olive-colored shoots topped with attractive inflorescences. The dark green elliptical leaves are quite wide and slightly notched.In autumn they turn yellow and fall off, although in mild winters some leaves, especially those on short shoots, may persist.
Tiny purple-blue flowers with a dark orange eye in the center are gathered in showy, conical, exceptionally dense and pleasantly fragrant inflorescences. Single flowers resemble lilac flowers. Flower buds usually appear in late June or early July, developing gradually, first on the tops of the main shoots and then on the side shoots.The sweet nectar hidden inside the flowers and their intense aroma make these shrubs massively populated by butterflies.
David's buds bloom on annuals from July to September. Systematic removal of faded inflorescences stimulates the shrubs to create new flowers, which significantly extends the flowering period. Purple Splendor Budley can be planted singly or in groups.It tolerates air pollution well, therefore it is suitable for use in urban green areas.Planted near resting places, it allows you to observe a variety of butterflies growing in large numbers.
Budleja Purple Splendor - requirements
Budleja requires sunny, warm and quiet positions. It grows best in places sheltered from the wind, in fertile, well-drained soils, with a neutral to alkaline pH.When planting budlei, avoid places that are periodically flooded with water, because plant roots are sensitive to air deficiency and then easily become infected by fungal diseases.
The variety is frost-resistant, but it can freeze in the east of the country, so in autumn, after the first frosts, it is worth covering the base of the bushes with pine bark or leaves to protect them from damage. In spring, the mound must be removed, the bush should be trimmed low to the ground and supplemented with compound fertilizer with a high nitrogen content.Such a strong spring cut favors the formation of lush young shoots with profuse inflorescences and a nice habit.
