Description
Buddleja davidii 'Royal Red'
The Buddleja davidii 'Royal Red', commonly known as the butterfly bush, is a striking deciduous shrub that captivates onlookers with its bold purple and red blooms. Beloved by gardeners for its magnetism for butterflies, this variety provides a dramatic flair to any garden setting, whether planted as a border, in group plantings, or as a solitary focal point.
With its majestic spires and alluring fragrance, 'Royal Red' invites a wide array of pollinators to your garden, enriching the local ecosystem and bringing your outdoor space to life.
Key Features The Buddleja family is renowned for its generous flowering period, and 'Royal Red' is no exception, presenting its vibrant inflorescence from July through September. This variety exhibits an upright to bushy growth habit, reaching an ultimate height of approximately 2.5 meters. The foliage presents a stunning tapestry of green and white throughout the growing season, providing a lush backdrop for the colorful blooms. 'Royal Red' is drought-resistant, making it a hardy addition to gardens in regions with variable rainfall. The shrub is easy to propagate through semi-ripe cuttings, allowing garden enthusiasts to expand their collection or share with fellow plant lovers. Pruning is straightforward, with a simple trim in the spring encouraging a plethora of summer blooms. Tips When caring for Buddleja davidii 'Royal Red', consider these tips to ensure the health and beauty of your plant:
Position the shrub in an area with full sun to partial shade to maximize flowering potential. Ensure the soil is well-drained to prevent root rot, as 'Royal Red' does not tolerate standing water. Water the plant regularly, but be mindful not to overwater, especially if the shrub is established and shows signs of drought resistance. Prune in the early to mid-spring, cutting back the previous year's growth to a set of strong buds. This will promote vigorous flowering and maintain the shrub's shape. Although 'Royal Red' is quite resilient, adding a layer of mulch around the base can help to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.