Buddleja davidii Purple Emperor Pyrkeep - Butterfly Bush

Buddleja davidii Purple Emperor 'Pyrkeep' is a compact-sized butterfly bush, with dense foliage and a beautiful summer to autumn flowering. It takes the form of large panicles of purple flowers with red-orange hearts, constantly animated with butterflies. This bush is spectacular in full bloom and has beautiful deciduous green and velvety foliage with a grey underside. Its modest size allows for easy integration into a small garden, in a shrub border, in a flowering hedge and in a container on a patio.

Buddleja davidii Purple Emperor 'Pyrkeep' is a deciduous bush with a spreading and compact habit belonging to the Scrophulariaceae (buddleja) family. This cultivar is derived from David's Buddleja, also known as Father David's Buddleja or Changing Buddleja, a robust Chinese species that has become invasive in our climate. 'Pyrkeep' is part of the "English Butterfly Series", a collection of cultivars selected by Elizabeth Keep, including 'Peacock', 'Adonis Blue' and 'Marbled White'. Each one is named after a species of butterfly commonly found in the UK and boasts particularly large panicles of flowers, carried on bushy and compact plants. Purple Emperor pays homage to the Purple Emperor butterfly (Apatura iris), thanks to its inflorescences of intense purple. It will reach approximately 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height with a similar spread in 4 or 5 years. It produces sturdy, branched and arching stems that give it a beautiful bushy and open habit. It flowers from July to September, producing an abundance of dense panicles of flowers measuring 15 cm to 25 cm (5.9 in to 9.8 in) long. These flowers are purple-violet with an orange eye and release a sweet fragrance, very attractive to pollinators. Its ornamental foliage is composed of long, soft green leaves, with a greyish down on the underside. The leaves, measuring 12 cm to 20cm (4.7 in to 7.9 in) long, are pointed and lanceolate. This very hardy bush is resistant to urban pollution and does not suffer from occasional drought in deep soil.

Whether planted individually or in groups, in a hedge or at the back of a perennial border, Buddleja davidii Purple Emperor 'Pyrkeep' will enhance the garden. Its purple inflorescences highlight the flowers of roses in red, mauve or pink tones, as well as the colourful panicles of summer lilacs. You can also plant it in a small, informal hedge to separate themed areas in the garden. It adapts well to coastal areas and can be grown in large pots. Its fragrant flowers are also very attractive in bouquets. You can plant it alongside Japanese Spireas or with tall grasses (Miscanthus, Panicum, Deschampsia) for an elegant contrast.