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Farwest: Peach Cobbler butterfly bush is tops in New Varieties Showcase

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Buddleias — the non-invasive, sterile kinds — are back in Oregon. As proof, look no farther than the Flutterby Grande Peach Cobbler nectar bush (Buddleia x ‘Podaras #5’) from Ball Ornamentals, which was chosen as the New Varieties Showcase Best in Show at the 2011 Farwest Show.

The shrub grows to 4-6 feet tall and wide, bearing 14-16 inch blooms that start out bright pink and mature to a peach-pink blend. It will attract hummingbirds as well as butterflies. The Oregon Department of Agriculture has certified it as OK for sale in Oregon. It was bred by Peter Podaras at Cornell University.

Several Oregon growers are licensed to produce this butterfly bush cultivar, including Alpha Nursery, Blooming Nursery, Fisher Farms, Kraemer’s Nursery and Van Essen Nursery. Van Belle Nursery of B.C., Canada grows it as well. All listed nurseries are at the Farwest Show this year.

For a full rundown of this year’s New Varieties Showcase selections and award winners, check out http://www.farwestshow.com/nvs/. Voting is still taking place for the People’s Choice Award, and a winner for that will be announced later.

  • Oregon Department of Ag has approved this butterfly bush so does this mean it doesn't set seed or that it can't set seed? If it doesn't set seed, does it have pollen and nectar to attract butterflies and bees?

  • Laine,<br /><br />Sorry for the delay in response.<br /><br />To be approved, proposed <i>Buddleia</i> cultivars must be field tested and shown to produce 2 percent or less viable seed. It can produce pollen, nectar and seeds — they just can&#39;t be viable. (Under 2 percent viable seeds does not carry the same threat of becoming invasive as a normal plant with viable seeds.)<br /><br />For more