Buddleja aka Butterfly Bush

Buddleja, also known as Buddleia, is a genus of flowering plants consisting of over 140 species. These plants are native to Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The name Buddleja was given by Linnaeus in honor of Reverend Adam Buddle, an English botanist. The Reverend Buddle was commemorated for his contributions to the field of botany by Dr. William Houstoun, who sent the first known buddleja plants to England from the Caribbean. The most commonly cultivated species are Buddleja davidii and its hybrids, which are often referred to as butterfly bushes due to their ability to attract butterflies. However, it's worth noting that Buddleja davidii has become an invasive species in Europe and North America. Buddleja davidii is a compact, bushy, deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to 1.2 meters. It has lance-shaped, hairy green leaves. This species produces panicles of scented, deep purple flowers from summer to autumn. Native to Asia, it is a rapidly growing shrub that can tolerate drought and prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is easy to transplant and blooms on new growth, which emerges from summer until the first frost. For the best display of flowers, it is recommended to prune the plant severely in late winter.