Buddleja globosa, globe butterfly bush
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Deciduous Shrubs

Buddleja globosa

globe butterfly bush

BuddlejaceaeAndes of Chile and Argentina

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height10-15 feet (3-4.5 m)
Width10-12 feet (3-3.6 m)
Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 9
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant (strong)
Maintenancelow

Overview

Buddleja globosa is a vigorous semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub native to the Andes of Chile and Argentina, reaching 10–15 feet (3–4.5 m) tall and 10–12 feet (3–3.6 m) wide in PNW gardens — significantly larger than Buddleja davidii. Its most distinctive feature is the flowers: rather than the long conical panicles of other butterfly bushes, Buddleja globosa bears perfectly spherical ball-shaped flower clusters 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) in diameter in vivid orange-yellow, produced in loose branched arrangements at branch tips in late May through June. Each flower cluster is composed of dozens of tiny tubular florets and carries an intensely sweet honey fragrance. Leaves are lance-shaped to oblong, 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) long, dark green above with a strongly wrinkled, corrugated texture and felted pale undersides — the deeply rugose leaf surface is a reliable year-round identification feature. In mild PNW winters, foliage is retained through the season; severe cold (below 0°F / -18°C) causes die-back. Unlike Buddleja davidii, Buddleja globosa rarely self-seeds in PNW conditions and is not currently listed as invasive in Washington or Oregon. It blooms on old wood, which has significant pruning implications — plants cut back hard lose that season's flowers.

Native Range

Native to the Andes of Chile and Argentina at moderate elevations in scrubby montane vegetation and forest margins. The natural habitat of rocky, well-drained slopes with mild, moist winters is closely analogous to PNW coastal conditions, explaining the shrub's good performance in the region.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a large specimen shrub or informal hedge in generous garden spaces where its size can be accommodated. The spherical orange-yellow flowers and intensely sweet fragrance in late May through June provide an unusual and distinctive late-spring display. Excellent against walls, at the back of wide borders, or as an informal screen. Good choice for PNW pollinator gardens as a non-invasive alternative to Buddleja davidii with earlier bloom. The rugose evergreen foliage provides winter structure.

How to Identify

Identified by perfectly spherical orange-yellow flower ball clusters 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) in diameter, unlike the long conical panicles of other Buddleja species. The strongly rugose (corrugated, wrinkled) leaf surface is the best year-round identification feature — dark green above with deeply impressed veins and felted pale undersides. Large semi-evergreen shrub reaching 10–15 feet (3–4.5 m). Strongly honey-sweet fragrance from the flower balls.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 15'
Width/Spread10' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

orange
yellow

Foliage Colors

dark green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Spring
Blooms late May through June — earlier than Buddleja davidii and notably distinct in timing. Spherical orange-yellow flower ball clusters 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) in diameter are borne on the previous year's wood in loose branched arrangements at branch tips. Fragrance is intensely sweet. The bloom period lasts approximately 3–5 weeks. Unlike B. davidii, deadheading does not extend bloom.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

vivid orange-yellow

Foliage Description

dark green with strongly rugose (corrugated) surface above; pale felted beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 5-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysandchalk
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

4-6 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil; tolerates a range of soil types but dislikes waterlogged conditions. Drought-tolerant once established. In PNW gardens, Buddleja globosa typically retains its foliage through mild winters; prolonged temperatures below 10–15°F (-12 to -9°C) may cause partial die-back. Provide wind protection in exposed sites. Flowers are borne on old wood from the previous season — do not cut back hard in autumn or early spring or flowering will be lost. The large mature size (10–15 ft / 3–4.5 m) requires generous siting; this is not a small border plant. Not listed as invasive in Washington or Oregon.

Pruning

Prune only lightly immediately after flowering (June through July) — removing spent flower clusters and lightly shaping the shrub. Do not cut back hard, as all flowers form on the previous year's wood; hard pruning eliminates the following season's bloom. If renovation is necessary after several years of neglect, remove one-third of the oldest stems at the base each year over three years rather than cutting the whole plant back at once. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches after bloom.

Pruning Schedule

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Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic