Plant Profile: Buddleja 'Miss Pearl'

Buddleja 'Miss Pearl' features striking, pristine white flowers with a subtle ruffled texture. Its semi-dwarf growth habit makes it an excellent option for landscaping compared to traditional varieties. This cultivar produces an abundance of honey-scented blooms on new wood for several months, ensuring it remains vibrant throughout the season. Bred for low fertility, 'Miss Pearl' is non-invasive, allowing it to be imported into states like Oregon that typically restrict most Buddleja species. It is quick to establish, often flowering in its first year after planting, and adapts well to various soil types, although adding compost can enhance growth in clay soils. For optimal results, it thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil. While Buddlejas do not fare well in poorly drained conditions, they are drought-tolerant once established.

Deadheading is unnecessary for this plant. It attracts pollinators while being resistant to deer and rabbits. In colder climates, 'Miss Pearl' may die back to the ground but will sprout anew from the crown in spring. In areas where the above-ground growth survives winter, occasional light pruning in spring may be needed to maintain its compact form.

This hybrid cultivar is a cross between Buddleja 'Miss Molly' and Buddleja 'Ice Chip,' developed by Dr. Dennis Werner at North Carolina State University.