Buddleia is a popular garden plant which was introduced into the UK from China in the 1890s and has now become widely naturalised on waste ground, along railway lines and in towns. Its familiar purple flowers bloom from June to October and attract all kinds of butterflies and moths looking for nectar sources, particularly in urban areas. Its winged seeds and dispersed by the wind and find it easy to colonise stony ground.
Although Buddleia is an introduced species, it has become an important nectar source for many species of butterfly and moth, especially in urban areas where natural habitats have been lost and gardens are now important corridors for wildlife moving about the country. Plant Buddleia in your garden and enjoy watching who comes fluttering by for a drink... To find out more about wildlife-friendly gardening, visit our Wild About Gardens website: a joint initiative with the RHS, there's plenty of facts and tips to get you started.
