The Butterfly Bush— Buddleia Variabilis Magnifica 
By E. I. FARRISGTON, in The Country Gentleman 
I T IS doubtful whether any new shrub ever distributed in this country offered so much to all classes of garden makers as Buddleia variabilis. 
It is coming to be generally known as the butterfly bush, because of the remarkable attraction which it has for butterflies of all kinds and 
colors. It is very hardy and extremely easy to grow, but if set out the last of April or the first of May it will be bloo m i n g early in August of 
the same year, even in New England, and it will not cease to bloom until cut down by the frost. Even then it seems to succumb only under 
protest, starting up again if there is a week of warm weather. 
The plant was discovered in the wilds of Western China, but it thrives in the soil and climate of tbe United States. Sometimes it is called 
the “ summer lilac,” for the flowers somewhat resemble those of the lilac in form. They are borne closely on long spikes or stems and are mostly 
a light heliotrope in color. 
With Constant Cutting it Blooms a Whole Season 
Every branch bears a flower spike, and if the blossoms are cut constantly with as long stems as possible new branches will continue to appear, 
with new spikes of bloom, as long as the season lasts. 
Then, if the whole plant is cut down to within eight or ten inches of the ground in the spring, a host of new branches will grow in a very 
short time and there will be a wealth of flowers—and of butterflies. Quite apart from its own merits as a flowering shrub, buddleia is worth 
growing for the great numbers of these beautiful creatures that it woos to the garden. Sometimes scores may be counted on a single bush at one 
time. 
In spite of their rather peculiar shape the flowers of the butterfly bush lend themselves well to house decoration. They keep several days in 
water if they are put in a fairly cool place and are not crowded in a vase. A very faint and delicate odor is exhaled by the flowers, an odor that to 
some people resembles that of heliotrope. 
Though buddleias are an attractive addition to the border planting, they are most effective when massed in beds. They grow from four to 
six feet high, like sun for at least half the day and need an abundance of water if they are to give the best results. 
Flowering as freely as they do, too, they prefer rather rich soil. In the Northern States it is a wise precaution to heap up soil round the 
■ lower part of the plants in the fall, in the same manner that roses are protected from the severity of winter cold. It does not matter if the tops 
are killed back, as they are to be cut away in any event to give the plant a whole new start in spring. 
This variety of the Buddleia is the best and most useful for hardy flower gardens. We have propagated a 
large number of these plants the past winter which are ready for immediate shipment. Write us for prices. 
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