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The exotic shrub of David’s buddleia has long been loved by many growers due to its unusual appearance and variety of flowers. This beautiful plant has more than 120 varieties, among which everyone can choose a variety to their liking. Among them, the Buddleia Border Beauty stands out, which will be discussed later.
History of variety breeding
Buddley David of the Border Beauty variety was first bred in the city of Wageningen back in 1962. She owes her appearance to the Dutch breeder Henry Shiforst, but at the moment it is not possible to determine for certain which varieties were used to breed Border Beauty. Despite the fact that this type of shrub is not listed in the State Register of the Federation, it has won great love among all plant lovers.
Description of the buddle
Buddleya David of the Border Beauty variety is a lush deciduous shrub whose height is almost 1,5 – 2 m. This variety of David’s buddley tends to grow in width, reaching up to 2 m in diameter. The leaves of the plant are not very large and have an oblong shape. The surface of the leaf plate is matte, saturated dark green. The lower part of the leaf has a white edge. But most of all, Border Beauty’s buddleia attracts attention with its tubular, fragrant flowers that resemble tiny forget-me-nots.
The whole genus of Buddleia is amazing with a variety of color palettes, as well as a wide range of shapes and sizes of flowers. The Border Beauty variety stands out from other representatives of the David buddley species with a deep lilac-pink hue of flowers, each of which has a bright yellow core, as seen in the photo. The delicate color and characteristic shape of the inflorescences contributed to the fact that in the -speaking countries Border Beauty was dubbed “autumn lilac”.
Large cone-shaped inflorescences up to 35 cm long have a slightly curved shape. When the variety is in bloom, they hang spectacularly from the bush, spreading a thick honey aroma. It is the smell that makes Buddleia Border Beauty a real magnet for honey bees and butterflies, which are happy to feast on the nectar of the plant, simultaneously pollinating it. Thanks to this interesting feature, the variety received the romantic name “butterfly bush” in English, which in Our Country was artistically translated as “butterfly tree”
The variety is distinguished by abundant flowering, which lasts from June to August, and in some regions the plant pleases the eye even until mid-September. Moreover, Border Beauty blooms every year upon reaching the age of 2-3 years, becoming even more magnificent after spring pruning.
Since Buddleia Davida Border Beauty is a thermophilic variety, regions with mild winters and warm, humid summers will be most suitable for it. In such a climate, the plant will be able to fully demonstrate its beauty, surprising the neighbors with a riot of colors and a charming aroma.
Frost resistance, drought resistance
However, David’s Buddleia Border Beauty has gained popularity among gardeners not only because of its attractive appearance. This variety is often chosen because of its unpretentious care and rapid growth. In addition, it has a fairly high frost resistance and can withstand temperatures down to -29 ° C, which corresponds to the fifth climatic zone according to the USDA. This zone includes, among other things, most of the territory of Our Country, which is why the Border Beauty variety becomes quite accessible for cultivation in most suburban areas of the middle lane.
The subtropical origin of this variety of David’s buddleia allows the plant to feel quite comfortable in warmer climates, but it is worth remembering that the Border Beauty variety does not tolerate dry climates, so it is especially important to monitor soil moisture when growing it in arid areas.
Disease and pest resistance
Another advantage of Border Beauty, as well as the genus of David’s buddley as a whole, is its high resistance to various diseases. With proper care of plants of this variety, the risk of disease will be minimized. According to the reviews of experienced gardeners who have been breeding crops for several years, David Border Beauty’s buddleia can live for decades without being affected by any ailments.
In addition, this variety is very resistant to attacks by various pests, and therefore does not require any additional treatment from parasites when grown.
Methods of reproduction
Reproduction of the Border Beauty variety is carried out in two ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings.
Buddley planting material is prepared in late March – early April. It is better to use purchased seeds for breeding, since raw materials collected on their own, even in the hands of experienced growers, have a small chance to germinate.
- Seeds are sown in boxes with soil and watered without sprinkling.
- The container is covered with glass or plastic wrap and placed in a lighted place.
- 2 times a day for 30 min. an impromptu greenhouse is removed for ventilation. The temperature should be maintained at +20 – 30 °C.
- With the advent of seedlings at 3-4 weeks, the seedlings are thinned out.
- After 2 weeks, the young buddley of David is dived into pots of peat.
- At the end of May, they are planted in open ground.
Cuttings are best collected during spring pruning. They should be no longer than 15 – 20 cm. The prepared raw materials are placed in a greenhouse or in a planting container indoors at a temperature of 18 – 20 ° C.
Planting and caring for buddley David Border Beauty
Having decided to grow David’s Border Beauty buddley in your backyard, you should take care of choosing a suitable planting site. By and large, the recommendations for planting this variety do not differ from those that are inherent in other varieties of buddleia.
The plant prefers unshaded, well-lit places where there are no drafts. The Border Beauty variety is quite picky about the composition of the soil and can grow with equal success on chalky, loamy and clay soils. According to the level of acidity, a soil with a neutral pH (from 5 to 7 pH), slightly acidic or slightly alkaline is suitable for it. Regardless of the type, the soil must be well-drained and regularly moistened.
In open ground, seedlings of the Border Beauty variety are placed in late April – early May, after the soil has warmed up thoroughly. Before this, the seedlings of David’s buddley are abundantly watered and dived, and the cuttings are soaked in the root solution for 10-18 hours.
The plants are planted as follows:
- Prepare a landing pit measuring 40×40 cm at a distance of 2 – 2,5 m from other plantings.
- Drainage is poured into the bottom of the pit so that it forms a layer of 10 – 15 cm.
- A layer of earth fertilized with a solution of ash or compost is poured over the drainage.
- The planting material of David’s buddley is placed in the ground and sprinkled with earth, then the plant is watered abundantly.
- At the end of planting, the Buddley Border Beauty is mulched with peat or straw.
Aftercare
Buddleya David and, in particular, its Border Beauty variety is an undemanding plant, and therefore beginner growers will be able to take care of it. By and large, it comes down to regular watering, which in arid regions is carried out somewhat more often than usual, tillage and top dressing.
Buddleys are fed at least 3 times a year: in the spring – with the appearance of buds, and also in the summer – during the budding period. At the same time, both organic and mineral fertilizers are used.
Do not neglect mulching. This procedure, carried out immediately after planting David’s buddleia, will ensure optimal heat and water exchange in the roots, which is why the variety will take root faster in a new place. Subsequent mulching is carried out immediately before the wintering of the Border Beauty variety.
After each watering, approximately 1 time in two weeks, the soil is loosened around the buddley bush – to improve the supply of oxygen to the roots.
However, pruning should be given the most attention when growing David Border Beauty’s buddley, as this variety has the ability to grow strongly. Cut the plant according to the following scheme:
- In March-April, immediately after planting in open ground, the main branches of David’s buddley are shortened by half to give the bush the opportunity to grow.
- In the second year of growing buddley, last year’s branches are cut to the length of young shoots. The fresh growth itself is also shortened by 1 – 2 buds. In subsequent years, pruning is repeated, if desired, leaving young shoots at the bottom of the bush.
- Buddleia Border Beauty flowers usually do not need pruning, but fading inflorescences can be removed to maintain an aesthetic appearance and more lush flowering.
Preparation for winter
The correct preparation of the Border Beauty variety for the winter determines how successfully the buddley will survive the cold, so it must be treated with all responsibility.
In mid-October, the last watering of David’s buddleia is usually carried out. Just before the start of frost, it is not worth watering the bush, but if the autumn turned out to be dry, you can moisten the near-stem circle of the plant.
The Buddley variety Border Beauty does not need additional feeding for the winter, the amount of fertilizer that was applied before flowering will be enough.
Pruning of the bush during this period is carried out under the stump, since in this form it is easier for him to endure frosts. But even in a shortened state, this variety of David’s buddleia needs to be covered. For this, snow, dry foliage or spruce branches are suitable. From a sharp change in temperature, a frame shelter made of metal covered with polyethylene will also help.
Control of diseases and pests
Although David’s Buddleia Border Beauty is characterized by an enviable disease resistance, insufficient care can cause diseases and pests:
- The lack of moisture provokes the reproduction of the spider mite, which leaves a characteristic white web on the leaf plates of the buddleia. To eliminate it, you will need to get rid of all affected plants. Healthy buddles must be treated with insecticides, for example, Etisso.
- Garlic will help to cope with the attack of aphids. Buddley David can be treated with a solution based on it or plant garlic next to the bush along with other herbs that repel pests.
- High humidity will lead to the development of gray rot in the bush. To prevent the disease, do not overmoisten the soil and arrange watering in the evening.
The use of buddley in landscape design
The bewitching appearance of David’s buddleia and the abundance of varieties, each of which has a unique shade of inflorescences, make this plant very popular among landscape designers around the world. The lush spectacular bushes of Border Beauty are a wonderful decoration of gardens both on their own and in an ensemble with smaller plants: roses, other varieties of buddley, etc. In addition, they fit very organically into the design of parks, alpine slides and hedges.
Conclusion
Having studied the features that characterize the Border Beauty buddleia, it can be noted that caring for this variety is in many ways similar to that of other varieties of David’s buddleia and does not require excessive effort. Proper care will prevent possible ailments of the plant and preserve its health and beauty for a long time.
