Buddleja forrestii

Buddleja forrestii
B. forrestii inflorescence

Longstock Park Nursery.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Buddleja
Species: B. forrestii
Binomial name
Buddleja forrestii
Diels

Buddleja forrestii is a deciduous shrub or small tree widely distributed from India to western China. First described by Diels in 1912, he named the species for plant hunter George Forrest, who discovered the plant in Yunnan in 1903, and introduced it.[1][2]

Contents

Description

B. forrestii grows to < 6 m in height in the wild, and is chiefly distinguished by its pendulous terminal panicles < 25 cm long. The colour of the virtually scentless flowers varies considerably, ranging from pale maroon, through mauve, and blue to almost white, and appear in late summer.[2][3] The branches are tetragonous, and bear lanceolate leaves, which are opposite, < 25 cm long; the undersides covered with reddish-brown hairs. [1]

Cultivation

B. forrestii is not fully hardy in the UK, and best grown against a south-facing wall, or in pots which can be removed to the greenhouse or conservatory in winter. A specimen is grown as part of the NCCPG national collection at Longstock Park Nursery, near Stockbridge.

Suppliers

The shrub is in commerce in the UK; vendors can be found in the RHS's Plantfinder [1].

References

  1. ^ a b Stuart, D. (2006). Buddlejas. Timber Press, Oregon, USA. ISBN 9780881926880
  2. ^ a b Bean, W. J. (1914). Trees and shrubs hardy in the British Isles, Vol. 1. p. 323. 7th Ed. 1950. Murray, London.
  3. ^ Phillips, R., & Rix, M. (1989). Shrubs. p. 211. Pan Books Ltd., London. ISBN 0330302582