Buddleja × weyeriana 'Honeycomb'

Buddleja × weyeriana
'Honeycomb', Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, UK
Cultivar	'Honeycomb'
Origin	Netherlands

Buddleja × weyeriana 'Honeycomb' originated as a particularly floriferous selection of 'Sungold' at Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire, purchased by Michael Dirr on a visit to Scotland in 1995. The shrub flourished in Georgia, was renamed 'Honeycomb' by Mark Griffith at the Griffith Propagation Nursery, and voted 'most aesthetically pleasing' buddleja out of 57 cultivars in a poll conducted at the University of Georgia in 1997.^{[1] [2]}

Description

'Honeycomb' is claimed to produce slightly superior inflorescences of rich golden-orange flowers, a claim which remains a matter of contention within horticulture. The shrub is otherwise like the type.^[3]

Cultivation

'Honeycomb' is widely cultivated in the USA, and has featured in a number of hybridizations which have produced, amongst others, the 'Flutterby Grande'™ series raised by Peter Podaras at Cornell University. Ironically, the cultivar has now returned to Europe, though is not (2012) widely sold. Several specimens are grown outside the Visitor's Centre at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Ampfield in Hampshire. Hardiness: United States Department of Agriculture zones 8–10.^[3]

References

1. Gillman, J., Dirr, M, and Braman, K. (1997). Evaluation and selection of superior Buddleja taxa for Georgia parks and gardens. University of Georgia, USA.
2. Hatch, L. (2007). Cultivars of Woody Plants. Vol. 1 (A-G) 2007 Edition. TCR Press Horticultural PDF. books.
3. Stuart, D. (2006). Buddlejas. RHS Plant Collector Guide. Timber Press, Oregon. ISBN 978-0-88192-688-0