About Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam.
Buddleja salviifolia (L.) Lam. is a large, multi-stemmed, semi-evergreen shrub with untidy, drooping branches that typically grows to a height of 4 to 8 meters. Its bark is grey-brown and stringy. Shoots are quadrangular in cross-section, and covered in a dense reddish-brown indumentum. The species' distinctive leaves have rugose upper surfaces, and resemble the leaves of sage, which is the source of its specific epithet. Leaves are sessile to shortly petiolate, with a narrowly ovate to narrowly oblong blade, ending in a long acuminate to acute apex, and have a cordate base. Inflorescences are terminal conical panicles measuring approximately 12 × 8 cm, and occasional auxiliary heads appear in autumn. Flower colors range from white, through cream and mauve, to purple; corollas are relatively short, at just 4 mm long. The most notable feature of the flowers is their scent, which some consider the best among all buddlejas, and even comparable to Chanel perfume. This species is hardy to USDA zone 8. It is relatively common in cultivation. Moderately frost hardy and tolerant of dry soils, it is grown in the United Kingdom, but its large size and ungainly growth habit, following the unfavorable 'bent hatstand' tradition of many buddlejas, mean it is only a suitable choice for larger gardens. Several specimens are part of the NCCPG national collection held by Longstock Park Nursery, near Stockbridge in Hampshire. Occasionally, it is mislabeled as Buddleja myriantha (a dissimilar Chinese species) in the UK and France. In its native regions, decoctions made from this plant are believed to have various medicinal benefits. The hard, heavy wood of Buddleja salviifolia has traditionally been used to make assegais and fishing rods. Additionally, the plant is used for fuel and hedging.
