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Native Plant Society of Texas

Home » Native Plants » Native Plant Database » Buddleja marrubiifolia

Woolly Butterfly Bush

Buddleja marrubiifolia

Other common name(s):

Woolly Butterflybush, Butterfly Bush

Family:

Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Photo Credit; Claire Sorenson

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts

Low Mountains and Bajadas

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

4

to

6

ft.

Spread

4

to

6

ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Orange, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies

Maintenance

Provide good drainage as it is vulnerable to root rot. This is a south Texas plant that will need protection from freezes. Prune SPARINGLY in late winter to encourage fullness. Prevent complete soil dryness, fertilize 2 to 3 times during the growing season with rose food. Propagation: Soft wood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms February-November. An aromatic beautiful freeform shrub with fuzzy, silvery blue-green leaves and round, bright red-orange flower. Nectar prized by Giant Swallowtail, Gulf Fritillary, Pipevine Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail butterflies. Pollination: many types of butterflies. Browsed.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BUMA. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Buddleja+marrubiifolia&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=23061&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 52. 6) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 2034, 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=29916#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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