Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii 'Peakeep' PEACOCK)
Buddleja davidii 'Peakeep' PEACOCK is a low-maintenance, dwarf Butterfly bush offering showy, fragrant lavender-pink blooms from summer into fall in USDA Zones 5-9.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK is a highly valued, compact cultivar of the popular Butterfly bush, renowned for attracting a wealth of pollinators. This dwarf variety stays manageable, reaching only 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, making it perfect for smaller landscapes where the sprawling nature of the standard species is undesirable. It brings reliable color to the garden throughout the summer and into autumn with richly scented, lavender-pink flower spikes.
As part of the English Butterfly Series, Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK offers excellent density and branching on a shrub that is roughly one-third the size of its parent plants. Its vigorous growth ensures a continuous display of mildly fragrant flowers that draw in essential pollinators when many other shrubs have finished blooming. This low-maintenance shrub provides significant aesthetic and ecological value.
The plant exhibits medium water needs and thrives best when situated in a location that receives abundant sun exposure daily. While adaptable, it performs poorly in overly wet, saturated soils, preferring average moisture and well-drained conditions, making proper site selection crucial for optimal performance of this lovely Butterfly bush.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-5 ft
- Spread: 3-5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Lavender, Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK ideally in the spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, ensuring it is placed where it will receive full sun throughout the day. This shrub adapts well to average, well-drained soils, and it can tolerate clay soil provided the growing medium is properly amended before planting to improve drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects, as this species strongly dislikes wet, poorly draining conditions.
Care for this Butterfly bush is generally low maintenance; provide consistent medium watering until the plant is established. Once mature, it requires little supplemental water unless the site experiences prolonged drought. Because flowering performance diminishes significantly without adequate light, ensure no nearby structures or larger trees shade the shrub throughout the heat of the day.
Pruning is a key aspect of maintaining the compact habit of the Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK. In USDA Zones 5 and 6, expect the shrub to die back close to the ground in winter; prune hard back in late winter to encourage vigorous new growth and superior flowering. Even where it retains structure, cutting it back annually promotes better shape and heavier blooming. Promptly deadheading spent flower spikes throughout the season will encourage the plant to push out new blooms until frost arrives.
Be aware that this plant has the potential to self-seed, sometimes aggressively, particularly in warmer zones where it does not experience hard winter dieback. To prevent unwanted spread, remove faded flower clusters before they have a chance to develop and disperse seeds by wind.
Landscape Uses
The compact size of Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK (3-5 ft) makes it an exceptionally versatile choice for modern garden designs, moving beyond the imposing size of older Butterfly bush varieties. It performs wonderfully when integrated into mixed perennial and shrub borders, offering reliable mid-to-late season color. While usually not recommended as a singular specimen due to its habit, it excels when massed for impact along pathways or low retaining walls.
This cultivar is a natural fit for cottage gardens or dedicated butterfly gardens where attracting pollinators is the main objective. Its lavender-pink blooms contrast beautifully with silver-leafed plants or bright yellow annuals. It is also popular for use near foundations, provided sufficient space is given for its eventual 3-5 foot spread, or it can be effectively utilized in large containers on sunny patios.
For those seeking fresh material for indoor displays, the flowers of the Butterfly bush are suitable as cut flowers, adding fragrance and color to summer arrangements. The size of Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK allows it to tuck neatly into the corner of a landscape bed, functioning as a low, colorful screen without overwhelming surrounding plantings.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
The standard Buddleja davidii is native to China, noted for its vigorous growth and incredible attractiveness to butterflies and hummingbirds. The PEACOCK cultivar specifically has been bred to offer the same benefits in a much denser, smaller footprint, growing robustly between 3 and 5 feet tall. Its flower clusters, up to 10 inches long, display appealing lavender-pink hues from June through September, maintaining a slightly glossy, medium-green leaf presentation.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Clay Soil
Potential Problems
The Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK is generally robust and resists most serious insect or disease issues, which contributes greatly to its appeal as a low-maintenance shrub. Gardeners should remain observant for sporadic infestations of spider mites, especially during hot, dry periods; light horticultural oil or insecticidal soap can manage minor outbreaks. Nematodes present a more persistent challenge in the warmer southern regions of its range, potentially weakening the root system over time.
Cultural stress is often the biggest threat; poor drainage leads to immediate decline, while insufficient sunlight results in sparse growth and drastically diminished flowering performance. Always practice annual hard pruning in late winter to maintain the desired compact form and maximize the density of its summer bloom display.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Butterfly bush suitable for?
Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK grow?
This dwarf cultivar typically reaches a height between 3 and 5 feet, with a similar spread of 3 to 5 feet at maturity.
What sun exposure does Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK need?
This shrub absolutely requires full sun exposure to achieve dense growth and prolific flowering; filtered light or afternoon shade will cause it to become sparse.
When does Butterfly bush bloom?
The bloom time for Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK spans from June through September, typically presenting masses of lavender and pink flowers.
Conclusion
The Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK stands out as an essential, pollinator-attracting plant for gardeners seeking high visual impact with minimal long-term effort. Its manageable stature and season-long lavender-pink flowers make this Butterfly bush highly adaptable to various garden settings. Before planting, confirm your local hardiness zone matches USDA 5-9 and ensure a sunny, well-drained site is selected to guarantee vigorous performance.
Wildlife Benefits
The primary draw of any Butterfly bush is its profound impact on local ecosystems. The mildly fragrant, nectar-rich flowers of the Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK are magnets for butterflies, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the summer months. Planting several specimens together can create a significant feeding station critical for migrating species or local butterfly populations.
Because this dwarf cultivar maintains a dense structure, it offers good shelter for smaller beneficial insects, supplementing the nectar supply with physical sanctuary. Integrating this shrub ensures that garden spaces remain vibrant and active during the peak insect season, boosting biodiversity.
Propagation and Structure
While the species Buddleja davidii can readily self-seed, the most reliable way to maintain the exact characteristics of the Buddleja davidii ‘Peakeep’ PEACOCK cultivar is through softwood cuttings. Take cuttings from healthy, new growth just below a leaf node during the warm summer months when actively growing.
Cuttings should be treated with rooting hormone and placed in a well-draining, sterile medium, often under bottom heat and mist to encourage root development. This technique ensures you propagate exact clones of the desired dwarf habit and flower color, maintaining the integrity of this specific selection developed by Elizabeth Keep.
