Buddleia shadows on Garside Street

Buddleia (Buddleja davidii), is a medium to large perennial shrub with long arching branches. The lilac/purple flowers occur in dense pyramidal shaped panicles, which produce large quantities of nectar. The opposite leaves are lance shaped, deep green above and white-tomentose below. It is an increasing, naturalised garden escape, that is especially prevalent on urban and disturbed sites. It has become an important nectar source for many species of butterfly and moth, especially in urban areas where natural habitats have been lost and gardens are now important corridors for wildlife moving about the country.

A contribution to Shadow Shot Sunday.