Sagewood | Buddleja salviifolia

A beautiful indigenous, semi-deciduous shrub with soft grey-green foliage and generous sprays of sweetly scented flowers, Buddleja salviifolia brings colour, fragrance and wildlife into the garden. In Cape Town, it flowers mainly from late winter through spring, producing showy clusters of white, mauve to lilac flowers, often with warm orange throats. A fast-growing and water-wise choice, Sagewood works beautifully as an informal screen, hedge, windbreak planting or feature shrub, while its nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies, bees and birds. It performs best in full sun but will tolerate light semi-shade and a range of well-drained soils.

Why You'll Love It:

• Sweetly scented blooms brighten the garden.
• Attracts butterflies and bees.
• Drought tolerant once established.
• Fast growing and quickly fills a space or screen.
• A hardy South African garden favourite.

Plant & Care

Plant in full sun to semi-shade in well-drained soil. Water regularly while establishing, then reduce watering once the plant is well rooted. Sagewood is drought tolerant but appreciates occasional deep watering during extended dry periods. Prune after flowering if needed to control its size, maintain a neat shape and encourage fresh, dense growth.

Did You Know?

The name salviifolia means ‘sage-leaved’, referring to the soft, grey-green leaves that resemble those of sage. This is also the origin of the common name Sagewood.