Summer Skies' Butterfly Bush

Summer Skies is a named, variegated butterfly-bush cultivar with green leaves edged in yellow to cream and long pale violet-blue flower panicles. The [University of Connecticut plant patent](https://patents.justia.com/patent/PP22465) identifies it as Buddleja davidii ‘Summer Skies’ and describes an upright, outwardly spreading habit. Proven Winners’ [cultivar profile](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/buddleia/summer-skies-butterfly-bush-buddleia-x) lists a mature size of 4–5 feet tall and wide, a mounded habit, and flowers across spring and summer; patent field observations recorded bloom into early fall. ## Foliage and flowers The yellow margins may look more cream or white in bright light, while the green center remains distinct. The patent describes the foliage as resistant to sun scald and greening. Flower panicles add blue-purple color above the variegated leaves, and the two sources describe the plant as both mounded and outwardly spreading. ## Siting Grow in full sun and well-drained soil. Leave room for a broad shrub; the breeder profile recommends a 4–5-foot mature space. ## Maintenance Prune in early spring to shape the shrub and encourage flowering on new growth. Summer Skies is a deciduous butterfly bush, so expect seasonal leaf drop and fresh growth in spring.