Meet the Breeder
William Smith & Mark Brand
Storrs, CT, USA
‘Summer Skies’
Butterfly Bush
Buddleia
'Summer Skies'
USPP 22,465
- Bold variegation
- Stable, burn-resistant
- Long blooming
Bright and stable variegation. A high-drama plant for the summer garden, the soft violet-blue flowers of 'Summer Skies' buddleia contrast beautifully with the showy yellow and white variegated foliage. This is a highly stable variety which is resistant to scorching even in full sun. Bold, tropical foliage makes a statement in the landscape or containers.
USDA Zone 5 - 9 (-20°F/-28.9°C)
Exposure Full sun
Height 4 - 5'
Width 4 - 5'
Finish Time .5 season
Type Deciduous
Bloom Time Summer - frost
Flower Color Purple
Foliage Color Variegated
Liner Sizes 4", Quick Turn
General Care
Soil Good drainage is essential. The combination of wet soil and cold temperatures is particularly detrimental.
Pruning Prune only after new growth emerges in spring. Cut back to just above a set of large, healthy buds.
Uses With its very loud and bold variegation, 'Summer Skies' buddleia offers many landscape applications. It's an especially nice foliage accent for perennial gardens and containers.
Growing Tips Plant in full sun for best flowering. Deadheading not required for continuous bloom. In clay soils, plant a bit higher than ground level to divert moisture away from the center of the plant.
Features: Attracts pollinators, Foliage interest, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Deer resistant, Heat tolerant
Filters: Botanical genus: Buddleia, Common name: Butterfly Bush, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Summer, Purple flowers, Variegated foliage
Features: Attracts pollinators, Foliage interest, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Deer resistant, Heat tolerant
Filters: Botanical genus: Buddleia, Common name: Butterfly Bush, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Bloom time: Summer, Purple flowers, Variegated foliage