Plant Profile: Buddleja Lo & Behold® 'Lilac Chip'

Buddleja 'Lilac Chip' is a hybrid created from Buddleja 'Blue Chip' and Buddleja 'Miss Molly' as part of Dr. Dennis Werner's plant breeding program at North Carolina State University. This variety is notably more compact and dwarf than traditional cultivars, featuring lush, dense foliage and distinctive lilac to lavender-pink flowers that emit a delightful fragrance.

'Lilac Chip' thrives in average, well-drained soils under full sunlight. If it does not receive adequate sun, it may become weedy and produce fewer flowers. Like all Buddleja species, it requires moderate moisture levels and is susceptible to root rot if the soil remains overly wet. When planting in clay soil, it is advisable to enrich the soil with compost and position the base of the plant slightly above ground level to facilitate drainage during heavy rainfall. Once established, it is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering, especially during extreme heat or when grown in containers.

In colder climates, 'Lilac Chip' may die back to the ground but will sprout anew from the crown in the spring. In areas where the top growth survives winter, cutting it back to the ground in late winter, when new leaves begin to emerge, encourages more vigorous growth, enhances the plant's shape, and increases flower production.

While 'Lilac Chip' does produce seeds, the quantity is significantly lower than that of standard butterfly bush cultivars, which are often deemed invasive. This non-invasive variety is approved for sale in Oregon and Washington.