An upright, vase shaped shrub, usually growing taller than wide. Lanaceolate leaves are velvety with a gray felted underside. Buds are also pubescent and the emerging shoots are covered with a star-like down. White flowers emerging in May from pink buds. Yellow anthers are quite prominent, rising above the funnel shaved flowers. ½" fruits are oval, red at first, then changing to black.
This species was named after the leaves resembling that of Buddleia (butterfly bush)