Plant Profile: Buddleja 'Lochinch'

Buddleja "Lochinch" thrives in average, well-drained soil and requires full sunlight for optimal growth. If it does not receive adequate sunlight, it may become weedy and produce fewer flowers. Like other varieties of Buddleja, it struggles in wet, poorly draining environments, although it can adapt to clay soil that has been enriched with compost. This particular variety is less winter-hardy compared to others and may die back to the roots in USDA zone 6, so it’s advisable to plant it in a sheltered location and apply a good layer of mulch for protection.

To promote further blooming, regular deadheading of flowers is beneficial. This butterfly bush produces blooms on both old and new growth, and pruning the branches close to the ground in late winter will encourage a profusion of flowers and enhance the plant's shape. Typically, it has a compact, mounded appearance and can reach heights of 4 to 6 feet within a single growing season, although it may grow taller if left unpruned.

In terms of pests and diseases, nematodes can occasionally pose a problem.