The word ubiquitous was meant for Buddleia davidii – it has been in flower everywhere for weeks but most of it is now fading. It was first collected in China by Dr Augustine Henry in around 1887 but identified before that by Father Armand David, after whom the species is named. The genus was named posthumously after Reverend Adam Buddle, an 18th century botanist, at the suggestion of Linnaeus. It has made itself at home around the world since it first reached the west. Some regard it as a weed and detest its fragrance which can range from honey to over ripe fruit. Others love it because it is a favourite with butterflies, providing a rich source of nectar, and has become known as Butterfly Bush. Following the Second World War it was also known as the bombsite plant because it grew readily in that sort of environment. It can reach a height of five metres but tolerates very hard pruning in February which encourages larger and later flowers, as does deadheading. The embankment at Greenford Station has been colonised by it.
Images and text ©Albertina McNeill 2012. Please do not reproduce without permission. All rights reserved. Do not add any of these images to Pinterest or similar sites as this will be regarded as a violation of copyright.
It was nice to meet you:) Greenford changing in my short time of living here. That’s great to see some story of that on your blog.
Great to meet you too – it’s good to see other photographers making a visual record of Greenford.
🙂
Beautiful flower and photography. By the way the bee looks huge 🙂
Glad you like it, the bee wouldn’t keep still.
However, you managed to take a good shot of it 🙂