Buddleja 'Royal Red'

Buddleja 'Royal Red' is a striking variety known as the “butterfly bush”, distinguished by its deep purple-red flowers with a characteristic orange eye. It blooms for a long time – from June until October – on current-year shoots, forming flower panicles up to 30 cm long. The plant has a spreading habit, and its shoots arch under the weight of the flowers. It grows up to 2 m tall and attracts numerous butterflies to the garden.

Habit: spreading shrub, arching shoots

Height: up to 2 m

Flowering: June–October; purple-red flowers with an orange eye, in panicles up to 30 cm long

Leaves: green, deciduous

Position: sunny, warm, sheltered from wind

Soil: fertile, well-drained, loamy-sandy, slightly moist, near-neutral pH

Frost resistance: partial; requires winter protection (mound of soil, bark, sawdust or leaves)

Care:

• planting from March to November (container-grown plants)

• watering during drought

• fertilising 2–3 times per season

• heavy pruning in spring to about 20 cm – promotes branching and abundant flowering