Contents
Buddleya David Nano Blue is very popular where winter temperatures do not fall below -17-20 ° C. The semi-shrub is unpretentious to soils, easy to care for, almost not affected by diseases and pests. In the middle climatic zone, young plants of a flowering variety are best brought in for the winter, adult specimens remain under cover.
History of variety breeding
The first samples of David’s buddleia were brought to England by the botanist René Franchet, who gave the plant a specific name after the vicar and botanist of the early 1984th century, Adam Buddle. The second definition was given to the semi-shrub in honor of the French missionary naturalist P. A. David, who discovered it in China. The exquisite garden plants have several romantic names: autumn or summer lilac, honey bush or butterfly bush, because the flowers attract many butterflies. Breeders have bred many varieties with inflorescences of different shades, for example, David Nanho Blue buddley – in the USA in XNUMX. The variety is also sold under other names:
- Mongo;
- Nanho Petite Plum;
- Nanho Petite Purple;
- Nanho Petite Indigo.
Description of Nano Blue Buddle
A deciduous shrub, which some experts recommend to consider as a flowering perennial, grows from 1 to 1,5-2 m. Slender, flexible, beautifully drooping shoots of Nano Blue form a funnel-shaped crown, which also extends up to 1,5 m. As a perennial, a plant can be considered if it is planted in the middle climatic zone of Our Country. In winter, the buddleia stems freeze and die, but the roots remain and in the spring they start up new strong shoots. Sometimes, even in regions with mild winters, the stems are located low, near the ground, they are cut off to provoke the formation of new shoots in the spring.
The elongated lanceolate leaves of buddleia are narrowly spear-shaped, with an opposite arrangement. The length of the pointed leaf blade is from 10 to 20-25 cm, dark green in color above, the color of sage, below – with a gray tint, due to dense pubescence. In warm autumn, the foliage of David’s buddleia does not fall for a long time.
The inflorescences of David’s buddleia of the Nano Blue variety are formed in the form of cylindrical panicles from corollas of blue or blue-violet color, which are picturesquely leaning on the tops of the shoots. The length of the spectacular flower sultans of Nano Blue is 20-25 cm, up to 30 cm. The size of the buddleia panicles depends on the fertility of the soil and the required mode of moderate watering. It is also important to place a plant that develops in full force and forms large inflorescences with corollas of a rich blue hue only in a well-lit area. Fragrant Nano Blue buddleia flowers with an orange center exude a honey tart aroma, constantly surrounded by beautiful butterflies and other insects needed for pollination in the garden. Panicles of David’s buddleia are formed on the tops of the shoots of the current year, corollas bloom from late July to mid-September.
Variety Nano Blue blooms in the 3rd year of development. First, inflorescences are formed on the main shoots, then on the side shoots. In autumn, in the southern regions, you can collect the seeds of David’s buddley, in the middle climatic zone they rarely ripen. Faded panicles are cut off, which gives the plant strength to continue flowering, and not to form seeds. In areas with warm winters, David’s buddleia can become a self-sowing weed.
Frost resistance, drought resistance
The Nano Blue variety has an average frost resistance, tolerates a short-term drop in temperature to -17-20 ° C. For the winter, the shrub is left in those regions where there are no prolonged frosts below -20 ° C. In harsh conditions, it is better not to cover David’s buddley, but to transfer it to the room with a container. During spring transshipment to another, larger container, for the summer season, they try not to damage the peripheral root system. During the transplantation of David’s buddley, one must strive to maintain the integrity of the earthy coma of the Nano Blue variety. In the first 2-3 years, the plant is not removed from the container and in the garden, but simply deepen the container into the prepared hole.
David’s buddley variety is light-loving, demonstrating its decorative potential on a site illuminated by the sun all day. Due to the characteristics of large inflorescences, the bush is placed in a cozy, calm place. The Nano Blue variety tolerates drought and heat without much damage in development, but with moderate watering it blooms more abundantly and for a longer time.
Disease and pest resistance
It is not necessary to protect a flowering variety. All buddleys of David are not susceptible to fungal diseases. The leaves can be attacked by aphids and spider mites, and the roots of the Nano Blue variety in the southern regions can suffer from nematodes.
Methods of reproduction
The variety is propagated in two ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings.
From seeds, the David Nano Blue buddleia variety can only be grown by professionals on special equipment, when the heat and lighting regime is strictly adhered to. Germination takes a long time. Less than half of the seeds germinate and, unfortunately, usually only a part of the seedlings develop well. David’s buddley seeds are sown in separate pots in February, transferred to open ground in May.
It is easier to propagate buddley with cuttings and at the same time preserve all the features of the variety:
- cut off the upper part of strong young shoots in May-June;
- a fragment up to 12-14 cm long is left, leaves are removed from below and treated according to the instructions with a growth stimulator;
- cuttings are placed in a substrate, where sand is located on top and garden soil below;
- a film dome is installed on top.
Watering David’s buddley is moderate, without waterlogging or drying out of the soil. The roots appear after 30-35 days, the shelter is removed, transplanted into pots and left for the winter in a cool room where there is no sub-zero temperature.
Planting and caring for buddley David Nano Blue
Usually Nanho Blue buddley is purchased as a seedling in a container, choosing from swollen buds or elastic leaves. Planted in autumn a month before frost or in early spring, on a cool, cloudy day. Adhere to landing rules:
- only a sunny place, on the south or south-west side, protected from the wind;
- the soil is moisture-permeable, slightly acidic, neutral or alkaline, but not waterlogged and not heavy;
- the interval between the bushes of David’s buddley is 1,5-2 m;
- depth and width of pits 50-60 cm;
- the substrate is prepared from garden soil with the addition of sand or clay, depending on the predominance of soil constituents;
- root collar of buddley at the surface level.
Aftercare
David’s buddley seedling is moderately watered, the near-trunk circle is mulched to retain moisture. Loosen shallow, given the close location of the roots to the surface. In the evening, David’s buddley bushes are sprayed with warm water. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in spring and June. Before flowering, they are supported with complex preparations with potassium and phosphorus.
Pruning is carried out for David’s buddley in containers, if it is transferred under cover for the winter. In March, weak shoots on adult bushes are removed. In the first spring, the stems are shortened by half, and in the second, growths are shortened to 2 buds for tillering.
Preparation for winter
In autumn, the stems of David’s buddley are cut off, mulched with a layer of peat or humus, foliage up to 15 cm. Topped with agrofibre, burlap. Snow is applied in winter.
Control of diseases and pests
From aphids, folk remedies are used – soap, soda. Fighting spider mites with acaricides:
- Massai;
- Can’t count;
- Oberon.
Application in landscape design
Reviews of Buddleia Nano Blue abound with enthusiastic praise for the magnificent fragrant plant that blooms in late summer and autumn. The bush is decorative not only with lush blue sultans, but is charming with graceful foliage:
- for greater effect, buddleia is recommended to be planted in groups, often varieties of different colors;
- picturesque in borders;
- used as a background for roses or other expressive flowers.
Conclusion
Buddleya David Nano Blue is a delightful decoration of the garden. The bush, unpretentious to soils, is exacting to light, prefers moderately dry soil, without waterlogging. Top dressing will provide abundant beautiful flowering.
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