Buddleja asiatica aka Asian Sagewood

Buddleja asiatica is known as the Asian butterfly bush. It belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. This evergreen shrub can also grow as a small tree. Its native range spans central and southern China. It also includes tropical Asia and the Marianas. It grows in open woods and at forest edges. It also grows on ground that people have disturbed. Other sites include sandy riverbanks, grassland, and old village sites.

Garden plants reach about 8–13 feet (2.5–4 metres) tall and wide. The wider reported height range is 3–26 feet (1–8 metres). Plants have a bushy shape and keep their leaves year-round. Dark green leaves grow well apart along the stems. They reach about 1 foot (0.3 metres) long. Grey fuzz like felt coats the backs of leaves. Tiny white flowers grow in long, slim spikes. Their sweet scent comes in late winter and early spring. Bees, butterflies, and moths visit them. Cut flowers last well in water.

Give this shrub full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in chalk, loam, and sand. The soil can be acid, neutral, or alkaline. Choose a site with shelter, best facing south or west. The RHS rates it H3 but advises a frost-free site. Useful Tropical Plants warns that cold below freezing may cause severe harm or death. That source also reports new growth from the base after cold damage. This can happen when plants have a good mulch layer. In colder areas, use a large greenhouse or conservatory. It also suits subtropical and Mediterranean-style planting. Plants can reach full size within two to five years. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer to grow new plants.

Watch for aphids, capsid bugs, caterpillars, and earwigs. Figwort weevils and mullein moth can also attack it. Glasshouse red spider mites are further pests. Leaf and bud eelworms can cause problems too. Honey fungus, fungal leaf spot, and viruses may cause disease. Records from Hawaii show that plants can escape from gardens. Bear this in mind when choosing where to grow it.

Reported food uses include cooked flowers to add flavour. People also use flower liquid to colour rice. Dried, ground roots go into a fermented drink. These uses do not mean the plant is safe to eat in general. It contains saponins, and people have used it to poison fish. Past medical uses include skin washes and attempts to cause abortion. These records describe past uses, not proven treatments. Other uses include perfume oil and wood for fuel. The wood is tough and fairly hard. It may also serve for walking sticks.