Description

Bring summer to early autumn interest to your garden with Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’. Blue Chip is a dwarf butterfly bush producing lavender-blue flower spikes from summer to autumn on a compact, rounded plant. It is ideal for containers and small gardens, and is known for setting little seed.

Buddleja, the butterfly bush, is one of the best plants for attracting butterflies. Its long, honey-scented flower spikes appear from midsummer into autumn, and modern compact varieties bring the same wildlife value to small gardens and patio pots.

Key features of Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’

• Plant type: Fast-growing deciduous shrub
• Season of interest: Summer to early autumn
• Look: Lavender-blue flowers on a dwarf shrub
• Height and spread: 0.8m x 0.8m
• Position: Full sun
• Soil: Any well-drained soil, including poor and chalky ground
• Hardiness: Fully hardy
• Supplied in: Established container-grown plant
• Best for: wildlife and pollinator borders, cottage gardens, containers, wildlife gardens

Why choose Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’?

• Dwarf, compact habit
• Long flowering season
• Ideal for containers

Where to plant Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’

Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ grows best in full sun, in any well-drained soil, including poor and chalky ground. It is a good choice for wildlife and pollinator borders, and also works well for cottage gardens, containers and wildlife gardens. Plant with lavender, echinacea, sedums and verbena for a summer wildlife border.

How to plant Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’

Before planting, soak the root ball in a bucket of water. Prepare a hole about twice the width of the pot, fork over the bottom and add organic matter. Plant at the original soil level, firm the soil around the roots and give it a generous drink.

How to care for Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’

Water during the first summer. Established plants are drought-tolerant and need little feeding. Cut back hard in March to keep it compact and flowering well; deadhead through summer. Cut back hard in March to a low framework to keep it compact and flowering well. Deadhead through summer for more flowers. Generally trouble-free; can self-seed in some areas.

Growing Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ in a pot

Dwarf varieties grow well in containers of multi-purpose compost with added John Innes.

Grown in the UK, for UK gardens

Our plants are nursery-grown at St Annes in North West England, raised outdoors and in tunnels in real UK weather rather than a hothouse, so they arrive healthy, acclimatised and well rooted. Contact us for the current size options of Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’. Container-grown plants can be planted almost all year round, as long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged; autumn and spring are ideal.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ grow?
Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ typically reaches 0.8m x 0.8m, depending on position, soil and pruning.

When does Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ look its best?
Its main season of interest is summer to early autumn, when it shows lavender-blue flowers on a dwarf shrub.

Is Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ hardy?
Fully hardy.

How do I prune Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’?
Cut back hard in March to a low framework to keep it compact and flowering well. Deadhead through summer for more flowers.

Why is Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ called a butterfly bush?
Its nectar-rich, scented flowers are a favourite with butterflies, bees and other pollinators.

When should I prune Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’?
Cut back hard in early spring (March) to encourage strong growth and plenty of flowers.

Add Buddleja ‘Blue Chip’ to your basket today and enjoy summer to early autumn interest in your garden.