Butterfly Bush, Royal Red #3

Royal Red Butterfly Bush
Buddleia davidii 'Royal Red'

• Height: Typically 5–7 feet tall in Michigan’s cooler regions
• Spread: Around 3–5 feet wide
• Spacing: Plant 3–5 feet apart for a stunning display
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
• Deciduous

Description

Royal Red Butterfly Bush is a beautiful, upright shrub that sets the landscape ablaze with its vibrant, red-magenta flower spikes from midsummer into fall. Highly fragrant and appealing to butterflies, these gorgeous blooms add a satisfying splash of color while the grayish-green foliage offers a polished background. Known for its refreshing presence, this shrub is also generally deer-resistant and can adapt to large containers with attentive watering, providing a grand accent on sunny decks or patios.

General Care

• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct light daily.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil; mixing in organic matter can improve structure and moisture retention.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish deep roots; once mature, it tolerates short dry spells but benefits from consistent watering in prolonged heat.
• Mulching: A 2–3 inch layer of mulch helps maintain soil moisture and temperature, keeping mulch slightly away from the stems.
• Pruning: For the finest flowering and a more compact form, prune back to around one-third of its height in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.

Royal Red Butterfly Bush brings inspiring color and a magnificent fragrance to Michigan landscapes, delivering interest and elegance for those seeking a modern, stand-out flowering shrub.