Hi, FD, I have a couple of dozen buddleia on my place, and some years I get this stuff, so far this year only on a few. As far as I can tell, it might be some sort of thrip/tiny mite/bitsy aphid that causes that bunching up/curled leaf thing. Another one that gets them, the early leaves are just full of holes. Either one, there are two solutions, nuke them with a systemic spray and then after a few days snip off the messed up tip. The other way is just pull off the tip and when the weather warms up some more, the problem seems to be somewhat less, but the plant isn't all that wonderful flowerwise. Personally, I nuke them, there are a couple of pests around that just won't go away without drastic measures, and this is one of them.

I take it you have cut them back sometime this spring to about 6"?

Thanks David--whew, I'm relieved that somebody else has gone through it. I haven't seen leaf holes yet, but I'm going to cut back the old growth further and spray. New shoots are coming up from the base and they look okay.

Recommendations for spray? Would summer/dormant oil work?

I'd sure try it first, and then if that doesn't work move on to the more toxic stuff.

I have mine out in a border where I have a lot of Scots Pine and Green Ash. I get borers in the pine trees which I really don't want to die, I nuke the trees with Acephate, or what ever replaced Orthene, and usually just spray the buddleia at the same time. Its probably over-kill, but one spray is all it takes, and it works.