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| Photo: Nongthombam Ulysses
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Common name: White Butterfly Bush, Asian Butterfly Bush, Winter Lilac
Botanical name: Buddleja asiatica Family: Buddlejaceae (Butterfly-bush family)
A native of Eastern Asia, this Butterfly Bush is one of the largest. It is
a moderately succulent caned, large, arching shrub. It can reach 12 feet or
more and has widely spaced leaves that often curl or hang down. The blooms
are dense, often drooping, spikes of tiny white flowers with a pleasant
fragrance. When it blooms, it often looks like it is all flowers and no
leaves at all. When the flowers are finished the shrub tends to look dead.
Soon new bright green leaves with felty white undersides will grow, but the
shrub will remain without flowers the rest of the season. While the flowers
of this Buddleia may not rival the appearance of more common Buddleias, the
fragrance more than makes up for it. The Butterfly Bush do have a luscious
honey aroma, but it doesn't waft through the air with the heavenly scent of
Freesias like White Butterfly Bush. The beautiful butterflies who feed on
its nectar, are a joy to watch. White Butterfly Bush is also a source of
perfume. Flowering: January-October.
Identification credit: Nongthombam Ulysses
| Photographed in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. |
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