Content
Buddleia Davida Nano Blue is very popular where winter temperatures do not fall below - 17-20 °C. The subshrub is unpretentious to soils, easy to care for, and is almost not affected by diseases and pests. In the middle climate zone, it is better to bring in young plants of a beautifully flowering variety for the winter; adult specimens remain under cover.
History of variety selection
The first samples of David's buddleia were delivered to England to the botanist Rene Franchet, who gave the plant a specific name after the vicar and botanist of the early 18th century, Adam Buddleia. The second definition of the subshrub was given 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 due to the fact that the flowers attract many butterflies. Breeders have developed many varieties with inflorescences of different shades, for example, David's buddleia Nanho Blue - in the USA in 1984. The variety is also sold under other names:
- Mongo;
- Nanho Petite Plum;
- Nanho Petite Purple;
- Nanho Petite Indigo.
Description of Buddleia Nano Blue
A deciduous subshrub, which some experts recommend considering as a flowering perennial, grows from 1 to 1.5-2 m. The root system of the Nano Blue buddleia variety is superficial, quite delicate, and is afraid of damage. Slender, flexible, beautifully drooping shoots of Nano Blue form a funnel-shaped crown, which also extends up to 1.5 m. Strong, arched branches of Buddleia David grow quickly, with medium foliage. The plant can be considered as a perennial if it is planted in the middle climatic zone of Russia. In winter, the stems of buddleia freeze and die, but the roots remain and in the spring they sprout new strong shoots. Sometimes, even in regions with mild winters, the stems are located low, close to the ground, they are pruned 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, the color on top is dark green, sage-colored, with a gray tint below, due to dense pubescence. In warm autumn, the leaves of Buddleia Davida do not fall off for a long time.
The inflorescences of Buddleia David, variety Nano Blue, are formed in the form of cylindrical panicles from corollas of blue or blue-violet color, which bend picturesquely at the tops of the shoots. The length of the spectacular flower plumes of Nano Blue is 20-25 cm, up to 30 cm. The size of buddleia panicles depends on the fertility of the soil and the required mode of moderate watering. It is important to place the plant, which develops in full force and forms large inflorescences with corollas of a rich blue hue only in a well-lit area.The fragrant flowers of the Nano Blue buddleia variety with an orange center exude a honey-tart aroma and are constantly surrounded by beautiful butterflies and other insects needed for pollination in the garden. Buddleia David's panicles form on the tops of the current year's shoots; the corollas bloom from late July to mid-September.
The Nano Blue variety blooms in the 3rd year of development. First, inflorescences form on the main shoots, then on the lateral ones. In the fall, in the southern regions, you can collect the seeds of David's buddleia; in the middle climate 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, Buddleia Davida may become a self-planted plant. weed.
Frost resistance, drought resistance
The Nano Blue variety has average frost resistance and can withstand short-term temperature drops 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 Buddleia Davida, but to move it indoors with a container. When transferring in spring to another, larger container for the summer season, they try not to damage the peripheral root system. When transplanting Buddleia Davida, one must strive to maintain the integrity of the earthen 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 deepened into the prepared hole.
The Buddleia David variety is light-loving and demonstrates its decorative potential in an area illuminated by the sun all day long. Due to the characteristics of large inflorescences, the bush is placed in a cozy, windless place.The Nano Blue variety tolerates drought and heat without much damage to its development, but with moderate watering it blooms more abundantly and longer.
Resistance to diseases and pests
There is no need to protect a beautifully flowering variety. All David's buddleias are not susceptible to fungal diseases. Leaves may be attacked by aphids and spider mites, and the roots of the Nano Blue variety in the southern regions may suffer from nematodes.
Reproduction methods
The variety is propagated in two ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings.
Only professionals can grow the Buddleia Davida Nano Blue variety from seeds using special equipment, when they strictly adhere to the heat and lighting regime. Germination takes a long time. Less than half of the grains sprout and, unfortunately, usually only a part of the sprouts develop well. Buddleia Davida seeds are sown in separate pots in February and transferred to open ground in May.
It is easier to propagate buddleia from cuttings and at the same time preserve all the characteristics of the variety:
- cut off the upper part of strong young shoots in May-June;
- leave a fragment up to 12-14 cm long, remove the leaves from below and treat according to the instructions with a growth stimulator;
- the cuttings are placed in a substrate with sand on top and garden soil below;
- A film dome is installed on top.
Watering Buddleia Davida moderately, without waterlogging or drying out 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 Buddleia Davida Nano Blue
Typically, Nanho Blue buddleia is purchased as a seedling in a container, selected by its swollen buds or elastic leaves. Planted in the fall a month before frost or in early spring, on a cool, cloudy day. Adhere to the landing rules:
- only a sunny place, on the south or southwest side, protected from the wind;
- the soil is moisture-permeable, slightly acidic, neutral or alkaline, but not swampy or heavy;
- the interval between David's buddleia bushes 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 components;
- Buddleia root collar at surface level.
Aftercare
Buddleia David seedlings are watered moderately and the tree trunk is mulched to retain moisture. They loosen shallowly, taking into account the close location of the roots to the surface. In the evening, David's buddleia bushes are sprayed with warm water. Nitrogen fertilizers are used in spring and June. Before flowering, they are supported with complex preparations with potassium and phosphorus.
Pruning is carried out for Buddleia Davida in containers if it is moved 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, the growths are shortened to 2 buds for tillering.
Preparing for winter
In autumn, the stems of Buddleia David are cut off, mulched with a layer of peat or humus, with foliage up to 15 cm. The top is covered with agrofibre and burlap. In winter there is snow.
Disease and pest control
For aphids, folk remedies are used - soap, soda. Spider mites are controlled with acaricides:
- Masai;
- Sunmite;
- Oberon.
Application in landscape design
Reviews of Buddleia Nano Blue are replete with enthusiastic praise for the magnificent fragrant plant that blooms in late summer and autumn. The bush is decorative not only with its lush blue plumes, but also charming with its graceful foliage:
- for greater effect, it is recommended to plant buddleias in groups, often of varieties of different colors;
- picturesque in borders;
- used as a background for roses or other expressive flowers.
Conclusion
Buddleia Davida Nano Blue is a delightful garden decoration. The bush, unpretentious to soil, is demanding of light, prefers moderately dry soil, without waterlogging. Fertilizing will ensure abundant beautiful flowering.
