NC State buddleia recognized by gardening group
A pink buddleia developed by Dr. Dennis Werner, J.C. Raulston Distinguished Professor of Horticultural Science at NC State University, received one of two 2015 Green Thumb Awards from the Direct Gardening Association. Lo & Behold® ‘Pink Micro Chip’ Buddleia was recognized by DGA, the world’s largest nonprofit association of companies that sell gardening products through catalogs, websites, magazines and more.
Lo & Behold® ‘Pink Micro Chip’ Buddleia brings the first pink to the popular series made famous by Lo & Behold® ‘Blue Chip’ Buddleia. The tightly packed, petit flowers are reminiscent of Salvia and bloom continuously from mid-summer to frost without deadheading.
Its compact habit and small size of 18-24” tall and wide allow it to be used in a full sun landscape in ways butterfly bush traditionally couldn’t: colorful mass planting, a low hedge or in a container garden. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is a garden workhorse, proven to be drought tolerant, deer resistant and enticing to pollinators. ‘Pink Micro Chip’ is hardy from U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 to 9.
Werner is a plant breeder whose efforts in ornamentals have focused on breeding and genetic studies in Stokesia, Cercis and Buddleja. His efforts in Buddleja focus on flower color, inflorescence morphology, sterility and compact growth habit.
