Flower Library
Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii · Braunwurzgewächse (Scrophulariaceae)
Butterfly bush brings the feeling of high summer straight into the vase with its long, fragrant flower spikes. We prefer to cut it early in the morning when about half the florets on a panicle have opened - this way it lasts noticeably longer than you would expect from such a delicate-looking shrub. In our Pempelfort studio it is a favourite for airy, summery-romantic bouquets.
- Season
- July – August – September – October
- Vase life
- 5–8 days
- Latin name
- Buddleja davidii
- Colors
- violet, lilac, purple, pink, white, blue-violet
Botanically the butterfly bush does not belong to the true lilac (Syringa) but to the genus Buddleja within the figwort family. The colour range runs from deep violet and purple through soft pink to pure white; cultivars such as „Empire Blue“ lean towards blue-violet and „Royal Red“ towards purple-red. This variety makes it remarkably versatile in floristry.
In floristry we value the butterfly bush above all for summery natural bouquets, loose table arrangements and cottage-style wedding work. Its arching panicles, up to 30 centimetres long, bring movement and height to an arrangement and never look stiff. A subtle, honey-like scent accompanies every bouquet and makes it interesting for room decoration too.
Quality in cut butterfly bush is recognised by a firm, non-wilting base of the spike and by closed buds still sitting in the upper third of the panicle. We source our flowers directly through the Veiling Rhein-Maas auction, without intermediaries - this shortens the path from cut to bouquet and is decisive for vase life with such a short-lived summer bloom.
Butterfly bush combines beautifully with other summer cut flowers such as yarrow, cow parsley, roses or hydrangeas. Its airy, slightly wild character suits natural, relaxed styles and pleasantly loosens up classic round bouquets. If you prefer a monochrome look, place several panicles of one colour in a simple glass vase - the effect is modern and summery at once.
Care
- 01Cut stems at an angle and place them in fresh, lukewarm water; butterfly bush drinks a lot and should be conditioned quickly after cutting.
- 02Remove the lower leaves so that no foliage stands in the water and rots - this noticeably extends vase life.
- 03Cut ideally when about half the florets on a panicle have opened; this way the upper buds still open in the vase.
- 04Regularly pluck out spent individual flowers and browning tips of the spikes to keep the bouquet looking fresh.
- 05Place the vase in a cool spot out of direct sun and away from ripe fruit; the ethylene from fruit makes the delicate flowers age faster.
- 06Change the water daily or every other day and re-cut the stems each time, as Buddleja seals its vascular channels quickly.
Frequently asked
- How long does butterfly bush last in the vase?
- Butterfly bush is one of the rather short-lived summer flowers and usually lasts five to eight days in the vase. With daily water changes, a fresh cut and a cool location you get the most out of it. It is important to buy it as fresh as possible - thanks to our direct purchasing at the Veiling Rhein-Maas auction, the path from field to vase is especially short.
- Is butterfly bush toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- Butterfly bush is considered non-toxic and does not appear on the well-known ASPCA list of plants poisonous to cats and dogs. As with most garden plants, nibbling larger amounts of leaves can still cause mild gastrointestinal irritation. As a cut flower it is therefore unproblematic, though a curious pet or small child should of course not eat whole panicles.
- When is butterfly bush in season as a cut flower?
- The main season is in high and late summer, roughly from July to September, with some cultivars flowering into October. During this time it is particularly aromatic and rich in buds. Outside these months it is hardly available as a cut flower, as it is typical of the summer garden.
- Is butterfly bush the same as true lilac?
- No, despite the similar name the two are not related. True lilac (Syringa) blooms in spring and belongs to the olive family, while butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) is a high-summer bloomer from the figwort family. The name summer lilac refers only to the similarly shaped flower panicles and the scent.