The Honeycomb Butterfly Bush, known botanically as Buddleia x weyeriana ‘Honeycomb’, is a distinctive cultivar of the butterfly bush that is especially noted for its unique flower color and form. It’s a hybrid between Buddleia davidii and Buddleia globosa and has characteristics that are somewhat different from the more common Buddleia davidii cultivars like ‘Black Knight’.
Here are some features of the Honeycomb Butterfly Bush:
– **Flowers:** Unlike the typical conical flower spikes of most butterfly bushes, ‘Honeycomb’ has ball-shaped clusters of flowers. The blooms are a lovely shade of yellow, which is less common among butterfly bushes, and they may have an orange throat. This yellow color is what gives the ‘Honeycomb’ its name, as it resembles the color of beeswax.
– **Foliage:** The leaves are similar to those of other butterfly bushes, typically long and lance-shaped with a green to gray-green color. They provide a soft backdrop to the brighter flowers.
– **Size:** It grows to a similar size as other butterfly bushes, usually reaching around 6 to 8 feet in height and spread, making it a substantial shrub in the landscape.
– **Blooming Season:** This plant also enjoys a long flowering season, starting in early summer and continuing until autumn, providing a continuous display of color and a food source for pollinators over a long period.
– **Attracting Wildlife:** The fragrant flowers are a magnet for butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects, making it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens.
– **Care:** ‘Honeycomb’ requires similar care to other butterfly bush varieties, thriving in full sun and well-draining soil. It’s generally easy to grow and can be pruned back in late winter to encourage new growth and more abundant blooms.
– **Hardiness:** It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, but like the ‘Black Knight’, it may die back to the ground in winter in colder regions, sprouting anew in the spring.
Because of its distinctive yellow flowers, the Honeycomb Butterfly Bush can be a focal point in a garden setting, offering a contrast to the more commonly seen purples and pinks of other butterfly bushes. As always, it is important to consider the potential invasiveness of Buddleia plants in your area and plant responsibly.
