Buddleja crispa

Taxobox
name = "Buddleja crispa"

---

image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Lamiales
familia = Scrophulariaceae
genus = "Buddleja"
species = "B. crispa"
binomial = "Buddleja crispa"
binomial_authority = Benth. 1835

Buddleja crispa - sometimes called the Himalayan Butterfly Bush - is a species of "Buddleja", native to Afghanistan, Bhutan, North India, Nepal, Pakistan and China (Gansu, Sichuan, Xizang). It grows on dry river bottoms, slopes with boulders, exposed cliffs, thickets, at a height of 1400 - 4300 m.Flora of China, vol. 15 (1996): [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200017824 "B. crispa"] ]

Description

It is a deciduous shrub of bushy habit, growing to 3,5 m high, more in diameter. Bean 1976, vol I, p. 450. The Flora of China gives a height of up to 5 m.] Young twigs and both sides of leaves are covered with a white or tawny, loose felt. Leaves (ovate-)lanceolate, 5 - 12 cm long, 2 - 4,5 cm wide. Petiole 0,6 - 2,5 cm. Flowering February - August Flora of China; Bean says June or later; Krüssmann 1984, vol I, p. 242 says July - August; Hillier 1990, p. 47 says late summer; Phillips 1989, p. 209 says: flowers in spring - often before the leaves expand - if not pruned; summer to autumn if pruned in spring."] . Flowers fragrant, in a terminal panicle 7 - 10 cm high and 5 cm. wide, formed of axillary whorls. Flowers lilac with an orange throat. The flowers are often fragrant, attractive and irresistible to butterflies, bees and other nectar feeding birds and insects. [ [http://www.bspp.org.uk/NDR/july2005/2005-43.asp A. Mehra et al, Occurrence of Chilli veinal mottle virus in Himalayan butterfly bush (Buddleja crispa)] accessed 21 November 2007]

Cultivation

Hardiness zone: 8. "Buddleja crispa" needs a well-drained soil and full sun.
It was first introduced to Western gardens in 1850 Hillier 1990, p. 47] , but it is not often seen in cultivation. Bean says that it is seen at its best when grown on a wall Bean shows a b/w-photo (Plate 23) of a beautiful plant, indeed growing against a wall.] .
It received an Award of Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1961.

At least one cultivar ('Moondance') is known An image is available at [http://www.modesteherwig.eu/ViewPhoto.asp?PhotoId=4604 Modeste Herwig's Photo Website] ] .

References

Literature

* Bean, W. J. - Trees & Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles.:8th ed. London 1970/(2nd impression 1976) in IV vols. + suppl.; vol. I.
* Flora of China - vol. 15 (1996): [http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=2 online at www.efloras.org]
* Hillier's Manual of Trees & Shrubs. :5th ed. David&Charles, Newton Abbot / London 1972 - 1990
* Krüssmann, Gerd - Manual of Cultivated Broad-leaved Trees & Shrubs.:Engl. transl. London 1984 in III vols.; vol. I.
* Phillips, Roger & Martyn Rix - Shrubs; over 1900 shrubs in full-colour photographs.:Pan Books, London 1989