Dr Andrew Large

Urbaflora® Breeder

World renowned Buddleja expert Andrew Large has managed his botanical passion alongside his academic career as a Biochemist since obtaining his PhD from the University of Wolverhampton in 1995.

His Buddleja breeding program focuses on specific characteristics to improve the popular shrubs garden and landscape applications.

Sterility: A primary objective is to breed cultivars that are sterile or have very low fertility to prevent self-seeding, addressing the concerns of invasiveness.

Unique Flower Traits: He aims to produce flowers with novel colour combinations, such as a deep purple-blue with a prominent white ring around the eye (an effect he calls the “‘Orpheus Effect'”).

Growth Habit: working to develop plants with improved growth habits, including compact and less vigorous forms that are better suited for smaller spaces and require less maintenance.

Flower Timing: Many butterflies emerge later in the season in the UK, so he prioritises hybrid combination to support them.

Andrew promotes the ecosystem services of his sterile/low fertility Urbaflora® Buddleja, such as-

Attractive to Pollinators

Drought and flood tolerance 

Erosion Control and Soil Stabilisation 

Wildlife Habitat/Shelter

Ecological Restoration (Novel Ecosystems)