This is a beautiful semi-deciduous shrub that is a medium grower and perfect for adding some vibrant colour to a border.  B. Adonis Blue has dark green foliage and produces large clusters of flowers in a unique shade of vibrant dark blue in the summer fading to a paler shade as autumn commences.

History

Buddleja ‘Adokeep’ (selling name ADONIS BLUE) is a cultivar raised by Elizabeth Keep in her garden after her retirement from East Malling Research Station in 1983. Elizabeth’s main objective was to breed shorter cultivars with a range of colours. B. Adonis Blue resulted from crossing a hybrid of B. fallowiana alba x B. davidii ‘Black Knight’ back to B. davidii ‘Black Knight’.

Elizabeth produced a series of cultivars which were all named after British butterflies.

• Flower Colour: Vibrant blue
• Habit: Arching branches
• Eventual height: 100-200cm (4-6ft) Spread: 60-120cm (2-4ft)
• Hardiness: Very hardy - 20°C USDA zones 5-9
• Leaf colour: Dark green
• Flowering: Very floriferous. The flowers are 25-30cm (9-12") in length
• Fragrance: Sweetly scented and rich in nectar
• Situation: Prefers a sunny position
• Wildlife: Good for bees, butterflies and other insects. Deer and rabbit resistant.
• Later in the year some close up images of the flowers and leaves will be added along with a botanical description.