Buddleja × pikei 'Hever' Buddleja × pikei 'Hever' Buddleja × pikei 'Hever' is a cultivar of the English hybrid of "Buddleja alternifolia" and "Buddleja crispa" raised by Mr A V Pike while Head Gardener at Hever Castle, Kent. 'Hever' was accorded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Merit in 1953. 'Hever' is a lax, straggly, deciduous, free-flowering shrub growing to a height of about 2 m. The leaves are of two different forms; the terminal leaves similar to those of its female parent "B. alternifolia" whilst the leaves along the lower section of the branch resemble those of the male parent "B. crispa". The
Hever Castle during which time it was leased to various private tenants. In 1903, it was acquired and restored by the American millionaire William Waldorf Astor, who used it as a family residence. He added the Italian Garden to display his collection of statuary and ornaments. In 1983, the Astor family sold the castle to Broadland Properties Limited, which is run by the Guthrie family. Hever Castle is now a tourist attraction, drawing on its links to Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, its mazes, gardens and lake. There is an annual events programme with assorted events, including jousting tournaments and archery displays