BUDDLEIA DAVIDII & AUTUMN LEAF

When I saw a few Autumn Leaf butterflies on the flowers of the Buddleia davidii this afternoon, I was so excited that I told myself I must definitely post about it. Overseas, it was well documented that this flowering plant, which is commonly known as Butterfly Bush or Summer Lilac, is fragrant and is a butterfly nectar plant.

However, I planted this in HortPark but so far, I don't think I have seen it being visited by a butterfly, that is, until today! Anyway, this amazingly beautiful shrub that was propagated by my friend managed to grow so well here. I confirm that the butterflies were visiting it for its nectar because after moving too near to them, they sort of flew off but settled back on the flowers again. And the Autumn Leaf butterflies are a new sighting for me at Bay East. Fortunately, I planted out a lot of its host plants, which means I would likely see its caterpillars soon. It just makes my day!

ALOYSIA VIRGATA

I planted these few Aloysia virgata (common name: Sweet Almond Verbena, Incense Bush; Family: Verbenaceae) recently and see how some of them are rewarding me with their beautiful pure scented white inflorescences? It is true the flowers have a strong almond fragrance. Unfortunately the branching can be quite haphazard.


Previously, this plant was mislabeled as Buddleia asiatica, which actually has larger inflorescences typical of this genus,  locally. In fact, this genus reminds me of the christian name Aloysius.


A link on this wonderful plant is shown below:


http://www.plantdelights.com/Aloysia-virgata-Perennial-Sweet-Almond-Tree-Verbena/productinfo/7587/

SILVER GARDEN

We refer to this first shrub as the Buddleia asiatica (synonym: Buddleja asiatica; common name: Butterfly Bush; Family: Scrophulariaceae) but after checking through various online references, I am quite sure this is not the correct name.

It sure looks like a Buddleia with its characteristic inflorescence and fragrant flowers, but this species is supposedly the largest of the Buddleias. Anyway, a link on the plant is shown below:

http://www.californiagardens.com/Plant_Pages/buddleia_asiatica.htm

Other interesting species in the Silver Garden are the Tabernaemontana corymbosa and its cultivar shown in the last photo.

CENTRAL

The view from this suite is so spectacular. The interior decor is also quite classy and I am not sure if this is regarded as country design?

I like the wall paper, the sofa chairs, the cushion seats along the full length glass panel windows and the cushions, the silver lamp shade in the corner, the bird cage and the artificial flowers display. It felt so comfortable that I almost wanted to lie down on the cushion seats to sleep.

Are the blue flowers replicas of the real Buddleia davidii? The artificial electric blue paired with the creamy roses in the glass jar add a certain splash of colour to the otherwise plain but cool theme.

Did I say the view of the cityscape, Singapore River, brick red roof tiles, contrasting tiers of very tall and low buildings, Marina Bay Sands building, sky and rooftop gardens and finally the green promenade etc are all so scenic?

It was drizzling outside then and it was there that I was delivered the news that I had ptosis, which is a medical condition more common in the elderly. So, I have to arrange for surgery to be done to correct it and tighten the levator muscle.

BUDDLEIA

Just a day after I took the earlier photos of this plant, the violet flowers opened slightly. How interesting!

BUDDLEIA & ORTHOSIPHON

I think the top photo is a Buddleia although I couldn't be very sure at the moment. The small leaves have a silverish tinge to it and the flowers have yet to open.

The latter series of photos show that of the variegated Orthosiphon aristatus (synonym: Orthosiphon stamineus, Ocimum aristatum; common name: Cat's Whiskers, Java Tea; Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)). Although the plant looked interesting with its small variegated leaves with purplish petiole, it is not a vigorous plant and seemed to struggle a bit in its growth.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthosiphon_aristatus
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthosiphon_stamineus
3. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2085/