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The exotic shrub Buddleia Davida has long been loved by many plant growers due to its unusual appearance and variety of colors. This beautiful plant has more than 120 varieties, among which everyone can choose a variety to their liking. Among them, Buddleia Border Beauty stands out, which will be discussed further.
History of variety selection
Buddleia Davida variety Border Beauty was first bred in the city of Wageningen back in 1962. It owes its appearance to the Dutch breeder Henry Schiephorst, but it is currently not possible to determine for certain which varieties were used to breed Border Beauty. Despite the fact that this type of shrub is not included in the State Register of the Russian Federation, it has won great love among all plant lovers.
Description of Buddleia
Buddleia Davida of the Border Beauty variety is a lush deciduous shrub, the height of which is almost 1.5 - 2 m. This variety of Buddleia Davida 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, rich dark green. The lower part of the leaf has a white edge. But most of all, Border Beauty Buddleia attracts attention with its trumpet-shaped, fragrant flowers that resemble tiny forget-me-nots.
The entire genus of Buddleia amazes with its variety of colors, as well as a wide range of flower shapes and sizes. The Border Beauty variety stands out from other representatives of the Buddleia Davida 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 Russian-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 the Border Beauty buddleia a real magnet for honey bees and butterflies, who happily 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 Russia 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 heat-loving 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 neighbors with a riot of colors and enchanting aroma.
Frost resistance, drought resistance
However, Buddleia Davida Border Beauty has gained popularity among gardeners not only because of its attractive appearance. This variety is often chosen due to its ease of care and rapid growth. In addition, it has fairly high frost resistance and can withstand temperatures down to -29 °C, which corresponds to the fifth USDA climate zone. This zone includes, among other things, most of the territory of Russia, which is why the Border Beauty variety becomes quite accessible for cultivation in most summer cottages in the middle zone.
The subtropical origin of this variety of Buddleia David allows the plant to feel quite comfortable in warmer climates, however, 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 dry areas.
Resistance to diseases and pests
Another advantage of Border Beauty, as well as the Buddleia Davida genus in general, is its high resistance to various diseases. With proper care of plants of this variety, the risk of disease will be minimized. According to reviews from experienced gardeners who have been growing the crop for many years, Buddleia Davida Border Beauty 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 against parasites when grown.
Reproduction methods
Reproduction of the Border Beauty variety is carried out in two ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings.
Buddleia planting material is prepared in late March - early April. It is better to use purchased seeds for propagation, since raw materials collected on your own, even in the hands of experienced plant growers, have a small chance of sprouting.
- Seeds are sown in boxes with soil and watered without sprinkling.
- The container is covered with glass or plastic film and placed in a lighted place.
- 2 times a day for 30 minutes. the improvised greenhouse is removed for ventilation. The temperature should be maintained at +20 – 30 °C.
- With the emergence of seedlings in 3-4 weeks, the seedlings are thinned out.
- After 2 weeks, the young David's buddleia is planted in 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 Buddleia Davida Border Beauty
If you decide to grow Buddleia David of the Border Beauty variety in your garden, you should take care of choosing a suitable place for planting. By and large, recommendations for planting this variety do not differ from those 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 soil composition and can grow with equal success on chalk, loamy and clay soils. In terms of acidity level, soil with a neutral pH value (from 5 to 7 pH), slightly acidic or slightly alkaline is suitable for it. Regardless of the type, the soil should drain well and be moistened regularly.
Border Beauty seedlings are placed in open ground in late April - early May, after the soil has thoroughly warmed up. Before this, Buddleia David seedlings are watered and pricked abundantly, and the cuttings are soaked in the root solution for 10 to 18 hours.
Plants are planted as follows:
- Prepare a planting hole measuring 40x40 cm at a distance of 2 - 2.5 m from other plantings.
- Drainage is poured into the bottom of the hole so that it forms a layer of 10 - 15 cm.
- A layer of soil fertilized with an ash solution or compost is poured over the drainage.
- Planting material for Buddleia David is placed in the ground and sprinkled with earth, then the plant is watered abundantly.
- After planting, the Border Beauty buddleia is mulched with peat or straw.
Aftercare
Buddleia Davida and, in particular, its variety Border Beauty are an undemanding plant, and therefore caring for it will be within the capabilities of novice plant growers. By and large, it comes down to regular watering, which in arid regions is carried out somewhat more often than usual, tillage and fertilizing.
Buddleia is 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.
Don't neglect mulching. This procedure, carried out immediately after planting Buddleia Davida, will ensure optimal heat and water exchange in the roots, which is why the variety will quickly take root in a new place.Subsequent mulching is carried out immediately before wintering the Border Beauty variety.
After each watering, approximately once every two weeks, loosen the soil around the buddleia bush to improve the supply of oxygen to the roots.
However, when growing Buddleia Davida Border Beauty, the greatest attention should be paid to pruning, since this variety has the ability to grow strongly. Trim the plant according to the following scheme:
- In March-April, immediately after planting in open ground, the main branches of Buddleia David are shortened by half to give the bush the opportunity to grow.
- In the second year of growing buddleia, last year's branches are cut to the length of young shoots. The fresh shoots themselves are 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 to maintain an aesthetic appearance and more luxuriant flowering, fading inflorescences can be removed.
Preparing for winter
The correct preparation of the Border Beauty variety for the winter determines how successfully the buddleia 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 onset of frost, you should not water the bush, but if the autumn turns out to be dry, you can moisten the tree trunk.
The Border Beauty buddleia variety does not need additional feeding for the winter; the amount of fertilizer that was applied before flowering will be sufficient.
During this period, pruning of the bush is carried out under the stump, since in this form it is easier for it to withstand frost. But even in a shortened state, this variety of Buddleia David needs to be covered. Snow, dry leaves or spruce branches are suitable for this.A frame shelter made of metal covered with polyethylene will also help against sudden changes in temperature.
Disease and pest control
Although Buddleia Davida Border Beauty is characterized by enviable disease resistance, insufficient care can cause the appearance of diseases and pests:
- Lack of moisture provokes the proliferation of spider mites, which leave a characteristic white cobweb on the leaf blades of buddleia. To eliminate it, you will need to get rid of all affected plants. Healthy buddleias must be treated with insecticides, for example, Ethisso.
- Garlic will help cope with aphid attacks. Buddleia David can be treated with a solution based on it or planted garlic next to the bush along with other herbs that repel pests.
- High humidity will lead to the development of gray rot in the buddleia bush. To prevent disease, do not over-moisten the soil and water in the evening.
The use of buddleia in landscape design
The bewitching appearance of Buddleia David 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. Lush, spectacular Border Beauty bushes are a wonderful decoration of gardens, both on their own and in an ensemble with shorter plants: roses, other varieties of buddleia, etc. In addition, they fit very organically into the design of parks, alpine slides and hedges.
Conclusion
Having studied the features that characterize Buddleia Border Beauty, it can be noted that caring for this variety is in many ways similar to that of other varieties of Buddleia David and does not require excessive effort. Proper care will prevent possible plant ailments and preserve its health and beauty for a long time.
