{"product_id":"buddleja-davidii-empire-blue","title":"Fragrant summer lilac - Buddleja davidii 'Empire Blue' (Butterfly Bush)","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"break-words\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eBuddleja davidii 'Empire Blue' is a variety of ornamental shrub in the Scrophulariaceae family, commonly known as the “butterfly bush” (Butterfly Bush). This plant is valued for its spectacular, fragrant flowers, which attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects, making it an excellent choice for gardens that aim to support biodiversity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower appearance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"marker:text-secondary\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShape\u003c\/strong\u003e: The flowers are small and tubular, grouped in \u003cstrong\u003elong, dense panicles (large clusters)\u003c\/strong\u003e that can reach \u003cstrong\u003e20–25 cm in length\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are arranged at the ends of the branches, creating an impressive visual effect, and are \u003cstrong\u003emajor nectar producers—a true attraction for bees and butterflies\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour\u003c\/strong\u003e: They have a deep \u003cstrong\u003eintense blue-violet\u003c\/strong\u003e shade (sometimes described as a true blue), with a small orange “eye” in the centre of each flower, offering a subtle yet attractive contrast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance\u003c\/strong\u003e: They emit a \u003cstrong\u003esweet, fruity fragrance\u003c\/strong\u003e that enhances their appeal to pollinators and adds a pleasant note to the garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering period\u003c\/strong\u003e: It \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eblooms abundantly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong\u003eJune to October\u003c\/strong\u003e, sometimes until the first frost, especially if spent flowers are removed regularly (deadheading), which encourages continuous flowering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"marker:text-secondary\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: It grows compactly, reaching a height of \u003cstrong\u003e1.5–2 metres\u003c\/strong\u003e and a similar width, making it smaller and easier to integrate into gardens than other Buddleja davidii varieties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e: The leaves are lance-shaped and \u003cstrong\u003esilvery grey-green\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a fine texture and a slightly downy appearance on the undersides. They are arranged opposite one another along the branches and provide an elegant backdrop for the vibrant flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVigour\u003c\/strong\u003e: It is a fast-growing shrub, but remains well proportioned, with arching branches that give it a graceful, airy form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"marker:text-secondary\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExposure\u003c\/strong\u003e: It prefers \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e for abundant flowering, but also tolerates \u003cstrong\u003epartial shade\u003c\/strong\u003e, although it will produce fewer flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e: It requires \u003cstrong\u003ewell-drained\u003c\/strong\u003e, moderately fertile to fertile soil and adapts to various types, including clay and sandy soils, provided that water does not remain stagnant. It tolerates a variable pH (acidic, neutral, or alkaline).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering\u003c\/strong\u003e: Moderate watering is required. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, but its performance declines in excessively wet conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePruning\u003c\/strong\u003e: Severe pruning is recommended in \u003cstrong\u003eFebruary–March\u003c\/strong\u003e, cutting the plant back to 15–30 cm above ground level, to encourage vigorous growth and abundant flowering on new wood. Removing spent flowers throughout the season prolongs flowering. This pruning also helps delay flowering, reducing the risk of the plant being affected by late frosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare and hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"marker:text-secondary\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e: It is hardy to temperatures as low as \u003cstrong\u003e−20°C\u003c\/strong\u003e (USDA zones 5–9), but in colder climates it may die back to ground level in winter, behaving like a herbaceous perennial. In spring, it resumes vigorous growth from the roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilisation\u003c\/strong\u003e: A balanced fertiliser applied in spring supports flowering, but is not strictly necessary in fertile soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"break-words\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePests and diseases\u003c\/strong\u003e: It may be affected by aphids, spider mites, or mullein moth, but is generally resilient when well ventilated. It may develop mould in damp, poorly drained conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarden uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"break-words\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuddleja 'Empire Blue'\u003c\/strong\u003e is ideal for borders, cottage gardens, or as a standalone plant in mixed landscapes. Thanks to its compact size, it is also suitable for containers on terraces or balconies. Its blue-violet flowers combine beautifully with yellow plants (e.g. Kniphofia) or white plants (e.g. white roses), creating vibrant contrasts. It is also excellent as a cut flower, thanks to its fragrance and durability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"break-words\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eBuddleja davidii is native to \u003cstrong\u003eChina and Japan\u003c\/strong\u003e, where it grows naturally on rocky slopes and in disturbed areas. The \u003cstrong\u003e'Empire Blue' variety\u003c\/strong\u003e was developed in the \u003cstrong\u003eUnited Kingdom\u003c\/strong\u003e in the 20th century as part of horticultural selections intended to enhance the plant’s intense colours and hardiness. Although there are no precise details about the exact year or breeder, \u003cstrong\u003e'Empire Blue'\u003c\/strong\u003e is one of the first varieties to popularise true blue shades in Buddleja cultivation and is valued by gardeners for its colour and reliability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt \u003cstrong\u003eblooms\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003every abundantly\u003c\/strong\u003e during the warm season, with flowers appearing in large clusters. They are \u003cstrong\u003estrongly fragrant\u003c\/strong\u003e and major nectar producers. During the warm season, it is usually the greatest attraction for butterflies and pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo delay flowering, some gardeners drastically reduce the size of the plants in spring. Annual pruning is also necessary to control the plant’s spread, as it tends to multiply relatively quickly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHeight including pot: approx. 25–30 cm (varies depending on the season) \u003cbr\u003ePot diameter: 11 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecorative pot not included in the price.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secret Garden Outdoor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54366753718598,"sku":null,"price":29.0,"currency_code":"RON","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0558\/5551\/3798\/files\/Buddleja_davidii_Empire_Blue_flowers.jpg?v=1744638078","url":"https:\/\/sicretgarden.com\/en\/products\/buddleja-davidii-empire-blue","provider":"Secret Garden Plant Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}