Buddleja, Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac, Orange-eye Butterfly Bush 'Adonis Blue'

Developed by Elizabeth Keep of East Malling, England. The cultivar name is 'Adokeep'.

This species isn't long-lived (usual...Read Morely under 10 years). Hard pruning (to 6") annually in early spring helps it renew itself and improves bloom.

All B. davdii cultivars require weekly deadheading for them to look and bloom its best.

Butterfly bushes may be good nectar sources for adult butterflies, but they are not food sources for the caterpillars of any Lepidoptera native to the continental US.

In some places, B. davidii can be an invasive weed: England, France, New Zealand, and the states of Oregon and Washington. It has naturalized in eastern N. America but is not considered invasive there. Recent cultivars are usually selected for dramatically reduced fertility.This species has naturalized along the west coast of N. America from BC to Califolia, and also in 17 eastern states.

Butterflies are hovering around this plant. Easy to grow. Mine is planted inground, part sun. Smaller shrub, excellent for small gar...Read Moreden or for the front border in a larger garden. I have not detected any fragrance. Maybe you have to stick your nose in the plant, which I haven't done.

Having given credit where credit is due, I was disappointed with the color. I was expecting a dark blue per the pic shown by ShrubSource. To me it doesn't look much different than Nanho Blue or Purple Emperor. If you google this plant, you'll see pics that show the bloom as almost indigo.

I am posting here because my plant looks like the plant of all other posters, except ShrubSource, who has that lovely dark, dark blue. Oh Photoshop, photoshop: you guys play w/ my head and my pocketbook.

Buddleia - English Butterfly™ Adonis Blue™ Butterfly Bush
Adonis Blue™ has deep blue flowers of good size (approx. 10 to 12 ...Read Moreinches) with a delightful fragrance. Great flowering shrub for landscapes, the compact size of this cultivar is perfect for smaller gardens and the mixed border. It can also be used as a container plant in milder climates. To encourage re-blooming, remove old spent blooms.

The English Butterfly™ series are colorful Buddleia varieties that won't crowd their neighbors! These three new cultivars were developed in England, and are just now making their way across the Atlantic. Roughly a third the size of other butterfly bush varieties, these plants are extra bushy and loaded with colorful flowers. They're fragrant, and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Unlike older varieties, these cultivars will not overwhelm the landscape, and never develop the weedy, unkempt habit so typical of Butterfly Bush. You'll love the way they look in containers and in gardens. Treat them like a perennial in the north; dies back to the ground (roots are hardy).

This was a new addition for me at the end of last summer. It is a wonderful bloomer with rich purple spikes. I cut my back to 6-8" afte...Read Morer the first signs of growth started and it is doing beautifully. It's a tough plant too. This year I moved it from the back of my house to a container. Then from the container into my new bed in front of the house. I didn't miss a beat. I kept it well watered, and it took off. I'm very pleased with it's compact size. It's about 3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. I selected this cultivar after seeing my first hummingbird moth on it at the nursery. I got lucky and last summer I saw a hummingbird moth feeding from it regularly at my home. It's easy to grow, stays in a compact shape, and blooms profusely. Highly recommended!