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Buddleia Davidii causing paving problems

sabeehasabeeha Posts: 344
in Problem solving
Hi!

I have this buddleia in my front garden (which I loathe - the only reason I tolerate it is because the butterflies like it (and it helps with privacy)).

It's practically a well established small tree (not a bush) with a thickish trunk.  

I wanted to ask, can these type of mature well established buddleias (which have become small trees) cause any structural damage to houses? It is planted next to my house. One of the large pavers near its base has lifted up, due to the roots.

Any advice would be appreciated!
Thank you

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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    It might lift a paver, but not a house wall.
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923
    just be aware that buddleia only last so long if you don't prune them, they usually are killed by heavy wind ripping them out of the ground, that's because they tend to have lots of little roots and only a few big roots, so when one snaps the whole thing goes over
  • sabeehasabeeha Posts: 344
    Fidgetbones and treehuggee80 thank you for your replies! I didn't know that about the roots.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    sabeeha - the best way of keeping buddleias right is to cut them back by about a third in autumn [after flowering] and that helps prevent them being toppled or uplifted by strong winds. They are quite shallow rooted which is why it can be a problem - theyget so top heavy by September/October  :)
    You then cut right back in late winter/early spring as normal. That will give you the best display, and the flowers will be at a better height too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • sabeehasabeeha Posts: 344
    Thankyou Fairygirl

    Is it time to give them brief prune now? A lot of the leaves on mine are turning yellow.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Yes, you can prune them lightly now if you wish.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • sabeehasabeeha Posts: 344
    Thank you Lizzie.

    Does anyone know, is it normal for the leaves to be yellowing now? there are a couple of other buddleias nearby (in neighbours gardens etc) that dont have yellow leaves. :|
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've just hacked mine back sabeeha. I need to do some additional work on the fence they're against, and I took the opportunity on Friday when it was dry. I'd left them a bit longer than usual in spring, as I had a shoulder injury [and couldn't hack with gay abandon!] so they were a bit bigger than normal. It won't do them any harm that I've taken 3 feet off  :)
    I wouldn't worry too much about other shrubs having greener leaves. It's often down to weather/soil conditions. Bigger, or older, shrubs in drier ground may shed some just to make it easier for them to sustain top growth, especially if there's competition from other planting. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • sabeehasabeeha Posts: 344
    Thank you, extra info much appreciated :) It is definitely an older Buddleia!
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154

    This makes for interesting reading sabeeha !


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