Cultivar 'Opera' | ||
Origin Maurice Croux, Châtenay-Malabry, France Similar Buddleja davidii 'Dart's Pa, Buddleja davidii 'Fascination', Buddleja 'Minpap' = Reve de, Buddleja davidii 'African Q, Buddleja davidii 'White Bo | ||
Buddleja davidii 'Opera' is a French cultivar raised by Maurice Croux at Châtenay-Malabry and patented in 1970.
Contents
Description
'Opera' grows to a modest height of 1.8 m, and has a dense, bushy habit. The plant is distinguished by its very large, scented panicles of fuchsia-pink flowers. David Stuart, former curator of the NCCPG national collection of Buddleja at Longstock Park Nursery, England, rated 'Opera' third in the pink Buddleja league, behind 'Pink Delight' and 'Border Beauty'.
Cultivation
'Opera' remains in cultivation in Europe, but it is not known if it is grown in the UK. The shrub was introduced to the USA by the Gulf Stream Nursery, Virginia, and remains in commerce there; a specimen was (2012) under assessment at the J C Raulston Arboretum. Hardiness: USDA zones 7–9.
NB The Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique in France raised the dwarf form 'Courtabud' (selling name Operette) from 'Opera'.