SCIENTIFIC NAME: Buddleja davidii 'Adokeep'

COMMON NAME: Adonis Blue Butterfly Bush

GARDEN SIZE: 3 to 5 ft tall x 3 to 5 ft wide

GROWTH RATE: Moderate

USDA ZONE: 5 to 9

EXPOSURE: Full sun. Becomes leggy and sparse in part sun or shade.

WATER & SOIL: Prefers average to dry, well-drained soil. Tolerates clay if amended well. Avoid consistently wet or poorly drained sites, which can lead to root rot.

HABIT: Dwarf, well-branched

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; Green

FLOWERS: Dark blue, mildly fragrant, spike-like clusters (8–10""), bloom June to September (sometimes to frost)

PLANT ORIGIN: Parts of China and Japan

WILDLIFE SUPPORT: Provides occasional shelter or nesting spots for birds and small mammals. While attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, its nectar is not as nutritionally beneficial as that of native plants. Buddleia does not serve as a host plant for native butterfly or moth caterpillars, and therefore does not support full pollinator life cycles.

FERTILIZING: Low fertility needs. Overfertilizing can lead to excessive vegetative growth and fewer blooms. Apply a light layer of compost in early spring if desired.

PRUNING: Prune back hard in late winter to early spring—often to 12–18 inches from the ground—to encourage strong new growth and flowering. Deadheading spent blooms encourages rebloom but isn’t strictly necessary.

TOXICITY FLAGS: Not considered toxic to pets or humans. (However, ingestion of large amounts of any non-edible landscape plant may cause stomach upset in pets.)

USES: Accent, Borders, Pollinator Attraction