Buddleja salviifolia blooming well in spring

The flowers of Buddleja salviifolia grow in many-flowered terminal heads. On this plant they are lilac when open, white in bud. The colour and fragrance, announcing free nectar more effectively than any soup kitchen could invite the needy, attract birds, butterflies, bees and a multitude of other insects feasting while ensuring that there will be seeds to sow.

Herbal tea is made of the leaves and several ailments are treated by decoctions from the roots (www.plantzafrica.com).