Buddleja alternifolia bears extended panicles of aromatic blooms that attract pollinating insects with their sweet scent soft lilac flowers are produced from july to september and contrast spectacularly with the swathes of slender grey45green foliage this robust butterfly bush species is native to china and has been awarded an rhs agm for its garden performance the bushy growth and arching branches are easily trained as a small tree or standard with a little bit of effort buddleja alter