Smokebush
(Buddleja madagascariensis)
Smokebush (Buddleja madagascariensis)
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Forest and Kim Starr
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Forest and Kim Starr
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Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Starr Environmental | Publisher: Flickr |

























Estimated Native Range
Summary
Buddleja madagascariensis, commonly known as Smokebush or Madagascar Buddleia, is an evergreen shrub native to Madagascar, where it thrives in open woodlands and scrub areas. It typically grows to less than 4 meters (13 feet) in height and has a sparse, lax form. The plant is notable for its fragrant yellow flowers that bloom from autumn through winter, adding color and scent during a time when few other plants are in flower. The foliage is semi-evergreen in cooler climates and may drop leaves when temperatures approach freezing.
Madagascar Buddleia is valued for its long flowering season and fragrant blooms, which can attract butterflies and other pollinators. It is used in ornamental plantings in subtropical and tropical gardens, and with adequate protection, it can also be grown against south-facing walls in temperate coastal regions. It requires full sun to part shade, medium water, and well-drained soil to thrive. While it is tolerant of a range of soil types, it is intolerant of sub-zero temperatures and is rated as hardy to RHS H2, USDA zones 9 – 10. In regions where it is not invasive, it can be a beautiful addition to conservatories and greenhouses. However, it is potentially invasive in some parts of the world, including Indian Ocean islands, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and South Africa, and should be planted with caution outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Madagascar Buddleia is valued for its long flowering season and fragrant blooms, which can attract butterflies and other pollinators. It is used in ornamental plantings in subtropical and tropical gardens, and with adequate protection, it can also be grown against south-facing walls in temperate coastal regions. It requires full sun to part shade, medium water, and well-drained soil to thrive. While it is tolerant of a range of soil types, it is intolerant of sub-zero temperatures and is rated as hardy to RHS H2, USDA zones 9 – 10. In regions where it is not invasive, it can be a beautiful addition to conservatories and greenhouses. However, it is potentially invasive in some parts of the world, including Indian Ocean islands, New Zealand, the Caribbean, and South Africa, and should be planted with caution outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 8-12 feet
- Width: 6-8 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Fall, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Showy Flowers
Natural Habitat
Native to open woodlands and scrub areas in Madagascar
Other Names
Common Names: Gul Buddleja, Madagascar Buddleia, Madagascar Butterfly Bush, Buddleia Bush, Butterfly Bush, Smoke Bush
Scientific Names: , Buddleja madagascariensis, Nicodemia madagascariensis, Adenoplea madagascariensis, Buddleja heterophylla, Buddleja nepalensis,
GBIF Accepted Name: Buddleja madagascariensis Lam.