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Weeping Sage
Buddleja auriculata
SA tree no: 636.5
English: Weeping Sage, African Wisteria, Eared Buddleja
Afrikaans: Treursalie, Oorblaar-buddleja
Zulu: Utile, Umkele-wasempumalanga
Historical scientific names: Buddleja pulchella
Misapplied scientific names: Buddleja salicifolia
Buddleja auriculata, commonly known as Weeping Sage or Treursalie, is an attractive indigenous evergreen shrub or small tree. It is particularly admired for its graceful, weeping branches, narrow grey-green leaves, and fragrant clusters of small, creamy-white to pale yellow flowers that appear in late autumn and winter, offering a welcome display of colour and scent.
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Distinguishing features:
Graceful, weeping or arching branch habit.
Leaves are long, narrow, grey-green, and often have small, ear-like lobes (auricles) at their base where they join the stem.
Flowers are small, creamy-white to pale yellow, highly fragrant, and borne in slender, pendulous clusters.
Blooms in late autumn and winter, providing seasonal interest.
Attracts a wide range of insects with its strong scent.
Overall appearance:
The Weeping Sage (Buddleja auriculata) is an elegant evergreen shrub or small tree, characterised by its beautiful arching or weeping branches that give it a soft, graceful silhouette. Its delicate grey-green leaves complement the abundant, highly fragrant, creamy-white to pale yellow flowers that hang in slender sprays, creating a lovely display, especially during the cooler months.
Height:
Typically grows 2 to 5 metres tall, but can sometimes reach up to 8 metres as a small tree.
Width:
Can spread to a width of 1.5 to 3 metres.
Leaves:
The leaves are opposite, simple, long and narrow (lanceolate to elliptic), typically 5-15 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. They are greyish-green on the upper surface and paler, often felted, underneath. A key identifying feature are the small, ear-like lobes (auricles) at the base of the leaf blade where it attaches to the stem, though these can be variable. The margins are usually entire (smooth) or slightly toothed.
Flowers:
The flowers are small (about 4-6 mm long), tubular, and creamy-white to pale yellow, sometimes with an orange throat. They are extremely fragrant, emitting a sweet, honey-like scent. The flowers are borne in slender, drooping (pendulous) spikes or panicles (branched clusters) up to 20 cm long, which are produced in the leaf axils. Buddleja auriculata flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
In South Africa, its main flowering season is in late autumn and winter (around April to August).
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, dry, two-valved capsule, about 3-5 mm long, containing numerous tiny seeds. It splits open to release the seeds when mature.
Seeds:
The seeds are very small, winged, and numerous, designed for wind dispersal.
Bark/Stems:
The young stems are four-angled and covered in fine hairs, becoming rounded and greyish-brown with age. The bark is smooth and greyish, often slightly fissured on older branches.
Thorns:
None.
Wood:
The wood is light-coloured, fairly soft, and not typically used for timber.
Roots:
It has a well-developed, fibrous root system that provides good anchorage and contributes to its adaptability.
Soil type:
Adapts to a range of well-drained soils, including loamy and sandy types. Prefers a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun to partial shade. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established but performs best with regular watering. It is moderately frost-tolerant, especially mature plants, but young plants may require protection in cold areas. It can tolerate some wind.
Ediblity:
Not considered edible.
Toxicity:
No specific toxicity is widely reported. As with any ornamental plant, it is not recommended for consumption.
Uses:
An excellent ornamental plant for gardens due to its attractive weeping habit, lovely foliage, and highly fragrant winter flowers. It is ideal as a feature plant, informal hedge, screen, or planted near windows or pathways to enjoy its scent. It is a fantastic butterfly and insect attractor, making it valuable for wildlife gardens. It can also be used for soil stabilisation on banks.
Ecology:
The highly fragrant flowers are a magnet for a wide array of insects, particularly butterflies and bees, which are important pollinators, especially during winter when fewer other plants are in bloom. This makes it a crucial nectar source for various invertebrates. Its dense growth provides shelter for birds and small animals.
Distribution and habitat:
Buddleja auriculata is indigenous to the eastern parts of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and extends into Swaziland and Zimbabwe. It typically grows in forest margins, open woodlands, rocky outcrops, and along riverbanks, often in moist, sheltered locations.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Buddleja honours Adam Buddle (1662-1715), an English botanist and clergyman.
The species name auriculata is Latin for "eared" or "having ear-like appendages," referring to the small ear-like lobes (auricles) at the base of its leaves.
Common names like "Weeping Sage" describe its graceful, drooping habit and its aromatic leaves, while "African Wisteria" refers to its somewhat similar flower clusters to the Wisteria genus, though they are not related.
Historical aspects:
As an indigenous plant, Buddleja auriculata has long been a part of South Africa's natural ecosystems. Its presence and fragrant flowers would have been known to indigenous communities. In more recent horticultural history, its value as an ornamental plant, particularly for its winter flowering and delightful fragrance, has led to its increased popularity in gardens. It represents a beautiful example of South Africa's diverse and aromatic flora.
Interesting facts:
This plant is like nature's air freshener – its winter flowers release an amazing sweet, honey-like scent that fills the air!
It's a real lifesaver for butterflies and bees in winter, providing much-needed nectar when other flowers are scarce.
Its leaves have tiny "ears" at the bottom where they meet the stem, which is a cool way to identify it!
If you want a plant that looks elegant all year round and puts on a show in the colder months, this is your go-to.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Easily propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or autumn. Can also be grown from fresh seed.
Planting: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Plant in well-drained soil. It benefits from good organic matter.
Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to ensure consistent moisture. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established.
Frost Protection: Moderately frost-tolerant. Protect young plants from severe frost. It often recovers well from frost damage.
Maintenance: Prune after flowering (late winter/early spring) to maintain shape, encourage bushier growth, and promote more abundant flowering for the next season.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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