Endemic to forests in Chile and Argentina, this semi-evergreen, woody shrub is more hardy than other Buddlejas and losses its leaves only in the coldest winters. The dark green leaves are lanceolate and up to 6 inches long by 2.5 inches wide. The yellow-orange flowers have a honey scent and are borne in globose balls at the branch tips in early summer before other buddlejas come into bloom. Each ball is made up of 30-50 flowers and is up to one inch in diameter. Fruits ripen in the fall and split open to release wingless seeds that do not spread far from the mother-plant. B. globosa should be pruned immediately after flowering and resents harsh prunnng. Several cultivars are available that vary slightly in color or length of bloom.
Type: Semi-deciduous shrub
Outstanding Feature: Orange, ball-shaped clusters of flowers
Form: Rounded
Growth Rate: Rapid
Bloom: Orange balls 1” wide made up of 30-50 flowers in early summer
Size: 11’ H x 11’ W
Light: Full sun
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 7-9
Care: Prune after flowering
Pests and Diseases: Generally healthy with no significance problems; may be susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf and bud eelworms, capsid bug, and viral infection.
Propagation: Semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings
Outstanding Selections:
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‘Cally Orange’ (Brighter orange)
‘Lemon Ball’ (Lighter color)
To buy Buddleja globosa seeds from Amazon.com click here.
Karen Meyers