Weeping Buddleja

Dramatic, arching sprays of weeping pinkish-purple blossoms make this rare, semi-woody shrub a magnificent choice for bringing late-season intrigue to warm, sunny borders. Known commonly as the Weeping Buddleja or Weeping False Buddleja, Rostrinucula dependens blooms late in the year when many other garden shrubs are beginning to fade. From late Summer right into Autumn, long, pendulous, catkin-like spikes hang gracefully from the ends of its arching branches. Packed with tiny, tubular blossoms that feature prominent, feathery stamens, these cascading flower tassels resemble soft chenille or pipe cleaners and are irresistible to late-flying butterflies and bees. Complemented by narrow, lance-shaped green leaves that turn attractive pale yellow tones before falling in Winter, it forms an exotic, graceful specimen shrub that thrives when planted where its pendulous flower heads can be viewed from below.

Site: Requires a warm, sheltered spot protected from cold, drying winds. Planting against a sunny south- or west-facing wall is ideal in cooler areas
Soil: Prefers fertile, moist but well drained soil
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Season of interest: Late summer to autumn
Hardiness: Hardy from -5 to -10°C. It may die back during hard freezes but will shoot up again in spring
Height: 5-8' (1.5-2.5m) Spread: 5-8' (1.5-2.5m)

Images by peganum cropped and licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0