Is buddleia invasive?

[Rosemaryandlavender1]

I brought a little buddleia shrub to plant next to my lavender bush. I was going to plant it in the ground but I have been reading it can be quite invasive. Should I plant it in a large pot instead? Has anyone had success planting it in a pot?

The RHS website says that the variety Harlequin grows up to 3m.

Also it'sbased on optimum growing conditions. If you're in the north of Scotland and in an exposed location where it gets covered in seasalt it will barely make it through winter.

Plant it in the ground - it will be much happier. As others have said, it's not invasive, just will self-seed a bit which would happen whether it was in a pot or in the ground (as will lavender). The little seedlings are easy to pluck out when you spot them.

3m x 5m is if you don't prune it.

If you prune it then it grows as big as you let it.

Should be in spring.

It is so robust it hasn't made any difference. It was tidy over the winter and is full of new growth now.

Thanks for the help and advice
I have decided to put it in a pot for now.

I think it's considered invasive in the states but not here.

It's resilient, a bit like dandelions, but I've had them in several gardens across the UK and never had a problem with them. Superb for butterflies, nice scent, look fabulous when lightly maintained. Never have to worry about them.

Surely almost anything can be 'invasive' if it forms seeds or runners and you never weed? Of all the things that I don't mind taking over a bit, buddleia is the best because bees and butterflies love it and it smells nice. It's a bit like complaining that your roses are getting a bit too enthusiastic.

Keep an eye on it, pull up any seedlings you see (it's not THAT prolific, in my experience) and cut it back hard in winter. Works for most things.

I will see how it does in the pot and will consider planting it our next year.

It's fine in the ground. I have a buddliah bush/tree which is over 30 years old, it's currently about 15ft high as I haven't chopped it for years but made a start last week....I am late doing it I know. My MIL said do it in Feb? I am currently chopping the thinner top bits and now need a saw for the bigger branches but it's my fault for leaving it so long. But it doesn't spread round the garden.

Here's hoping It doesn't die in here.

Surely almost anything can be 'invasive' if it forms seeds or runners and you never weed?

There's a difference between a weed (a plant in the wrong place) and an invasive plant. To be considered invasive a plant needs to be non-native and needs to outcompete native plants. So different plants are considered invasive in different locations. So, e.g. agapanthus is not considered invasive in the UK despite being non-native because it doesn't outcompete native plants (in fact some varieties are tender) but it is considered invasive in Australia and gardeners are recommended to avoid it there. Buddleia is considered invasive in Europe but there are many varieties that have the RHS award of Garden Merit.

My buddleia plant hasn't really grown at all since I potted it up. It is in full sun, should I move it?

Give it time - it needs to grow new roots in its new pot first, then form new leaves etc. But as it’s not a patio/miniature version it may not be happy long term in a pot.
The one I have in a pot hasn’t done much yet, a couple of new leaves & that’s it. The ones in the ground are putting on a bit of new leaves & growth but they’ll rocket up now it’s getting warmer.