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Buddleja Lo Behold Group

Buddleja

Family: Scrophulariaceae Unknown

Lo and Behold is a group of interspecific hybrid butterfly bushes in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) created by Dr. Dennis Werner at NC State University. They are lower-growing sterile shrubs that produce no to few seeds. The state of Oregon considers a shrub that produces 2% or less viable seed as being sterile. These shrubs produce nectar but no pollen. These shrubs will grow 2-3 feet tall and wide in a compact mounded habit. They do best in average well-drained soil in full sun. Do not overwater or over-fertilize as they are drought and poor soils tolerant. No deadheading needed, The flowers appear in dense panicles of small star-shaped tubular flowers in pink, blue and purple. They are covered in flowers from summer through fall. Use these shrubs in the foundation, in the border, as a specimen along a walkway, on a slope or in a container. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Wet soils can cause root rot. More information on Buddleja .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 49 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Optimal soil pH Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Pink Micro Chip' Buddleja 'Miss Molly' Syringa pubescens subsp. pubescens
Similar, less problematic Dasiphora fruticosa

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low; Medium
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Dense; Erect
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are willowy and elliptic. The upper surfaces are gray-green and the lower surfaces are covered in a white pubescence
Flower color
Blue; Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are ruby, pink, blue and purple in spike-like terminal and axillary dense clusters of small star-shaped flowers.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
They can show some evidence of seed production but fertility is low and they are effectively sterile.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green stems can become woody with age.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies, wasps and hummingbirds
Attracts
Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Slope/Bank; Walkways
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Cottage Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Small groups
Garden tags
#long bloom time #foundation planting #accent #showy flowers #butterfly garden #small shrub #drought tolerant #butterfly friendly #blue flowers #hummingbird friendly #purple flowers #pink flowers #fragrant flowers #border middle #compact
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer; Drought; Heat; Rabbits

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.