SHRUB 'Royal Red' Butterfly Bush

Buddleia davidii 'Royal Red'

'Royal Red' Butterfly Bush is a fast-growing deciduous shrub prized for its rich reddish-purple flower spikes and exceptional ability to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Blooming from summer through fall, this butterfly bush produces long, fragrant panicles that create a bold splash of color in sunny landscapes. Its arching habit and silvery-green foliage give the plant a soft, cottage-garden feel while remaining tough and drought tolerant once established.

Perfect for pollinator gardens, borders, and mass plantings, ‘Royal Red’ thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Reaching approximately 6–8 feet tall and wide at maturity, it makes an excellent focal point or seasonal privacy screen. Deadheading spent blooms encourages continuous flowering throughout the growing season. Deer tend to avoid this low-maintenance shrub, making it a reliable choice for Southern gardens.

Planting & Care

• Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering
• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerant of poor soils once established
• Water: Moderate water during establishment; drought tolerant afterward
• Mature Size: 6–8 ft. tall × 6–8 ft. wide
• Bloom Time: Summer through fall
• Hardiness Zones: 5–9

With its vivid blooms, sweet fragrance, and nonstop pollinator activity, ‘Royal Red’ butterfly bush brings vibrant movement and color to the garden all season long.