Santa Rosa Gardens

Buddleia davidii is a fast-growing and undemanding shrub from China. It is ideal for a wide range of positions in the garden, providing they are sunny and the soil is well-drained. A highly sought after variety! Vigorous, fast-growing, 'Black Knight' is a dense shrub, which adds structure to the perennial border.  Fragrant, showy, deepest blue-black flower spikes, set off by silvery-green foliage, attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant in full sun and in well-drained garden soil. Prune hard before new growth begins in spring. Remove spent flowers to promote continued bloom. Considered drought tolerant and deer resistant once established.

Mulch butterfly bushes in the fall, then prune the plants back to the ground in late winter. Buddleia will re-emerge from its roots in spring. Blooms tend to be larger and more prolific on butterfly bush's new growth, giving you incentive for pruning it.