2022 Shrub Of The Year

As far as we know, Violet Cascade Butterfly Bush, Buddleia, boasts one of the largest flowers of all Butterfly Bush. And, unlike most others, Violet Cascade’s panicles cascade downward, creating the feel of a soothing waterfall. Enormous 12″ long and 4″ thick, rich lavender-purple flowers appear all summer into fall. Its remarkable flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds that flock to their honey-scented blossoms. This shrub is the perfect height at 4-4.5′ tall as a background for perennial borders, a spectacular specimen, or as a hedge.

Plants are sterile, so there is no need to worry about seedlings popping up in unwanted places.

Buddleia is easy to grow in full sun, is deer and rabbit-resistant, and is drought-tolerant. It is not picky about soil as long as it drains well. It begins its magnificent show just as the garden needs a color boost in mid to late summer when many other perennials are winding down. Its fabulous blooming continues on and on well into fall.

Plant in full sun in well-draining soil. Although extremely drought tolerant, plants will bloom best with consistent moisture. Plants may die back to the ground in winter. In spring, cut out all dead wood and cut back live wood to about 12″. Buddleia breaks dormancy in late spring and is usually among the last plants to leaf out.