Buddleia globosa
The orange ball buddleia is a fantastic bee plant. Covered in bright orange flowers in early summer, its beacon flowers attract a range of different pollinators.
If you are familiar with the butterfly bush you might be surprised that this dayglow orange flowered plant is a close relative. Buddleia globosa is a great plant for pollinators. Not as common as it once was, it isn’t that widely available these days, but if you know someone with one then do beg a cutting.
Just like most buddleia the reason this is such a good bee plant is because each flower is a cluster of small flowers in one place and each one has a rich helping of nectar at the bottom. It’s a magnet for butterflies, bees and all pollinators that rely on nectar to fuel their activity.
In the elegance stakes it is not the most graceful plant and possibly better confined to a mixed hedgerow or the back of a large border. If you have a small garden it probably isn’t the best choice, there are other more attractive and very worth bee plants to consider instead. Plants like the flowering currant Ribes sanguineum is a great choice. Or consider patio strains of buddleia that can be grown in pots and containers.
Take cuttings in early summer when there is plenty of fresh side-shoots forming. You need to choose those attached to the mainstem where the join is slightly woody. Pull them off the main stem gently and remove the lower leaves. Push five or six cuttings into a pot of firm cutting compost, or a quiet corner in the garden. They may take a few months to root, but will start to show growth when they are well rooted. Gently dig them up, pot them on and share with your bee friends.