Family Scrophulariaceae
Originating from China

• A deciduous shrub with downy silver-green leaves
• Rich reddish-purple cone-shaped flowers bloom through summer
• Fully hardy in most of the UK, undemanding and easy to grow

Vibrant reddish-purple blooms and lush silver-green foliage make this a high-impact plant. Its downy leaves create a soft backdrop for the rich cone-shaped flowers that bloom through summer. The richly coloured panicles borne at the tips of the branches create an explosive-looking butterfly attraction with their vivid display.

This butterfly bush forms a broad, rounded shape, reaching 4m tall and wide in 5–10 years, perfect for larger spaces. Additionally, Buddleja davidii ‘Royal Red’ thrives in well-drained soil in full sun, making it a great choice for gardens in Suffolk and Norfolk. Robust and reliable, it adapts to many growing conditions.

Care Tips for the Red Butterfly Bush

• Soil & Sun: Grows well in all soil types; adaptable to part shade but best in full sun
• Planting: Leave plenty of space for its open, airy branches to arch out
• Watering: Tolerates drought once established, minimal care needed
• Pruning: Prune hard in early spring to encourage compact growth

Buddleja davidii ‘Royal Red’ makes a rewarding display for gardeners and pollinators alike. Its long-lasting flowering season and vigorous growth make it ideal for the backs of borders, although it’s sufficiently impressive to merit planting as a standalone feature. The many butterfly species found in sunny Suffolk and Norfolk will surely thank you for planting this outstanding variety.

Planting suggestions Buddleja davidii ‘Royal Red’

Your butterfly bush will provide a fantastic source of pollen during late spring and summer, but why not expand your pollinators’ banquet to satisfy their appetites throughout the season? Species such as Acacia baileyana ‘Purpurea’, Acacia pravissima, and Grevillea ‘Jean O’Neill’ provide an early-season boost to sleepy bees emerging from hibernation. Additionally, Colletia paradoxa, Grevillea williamsonii, and Heptacodium miconioides will give them a late-season supplement after their busy summer, to see them through the cold months ahead.

Satisfying gardeners and wowing their visitors for the whole season is important too. So, in addition to catering for our winged companions throughout the season, try planting Freylinia lanceolata, Edgeworthia chrysantha, and Acacia verticillata riverine form for an early dose of heady fragrance and colour. A spring antidote to the long winter can be as important as cheering you through the autumn and the impending chill. Try planting Acer palmatum ‘Skeeter’s Broom’, Hedychium ‘Devon Cream’, and Hedychium densiflorum to end the season with a flourish.

For an in-depth read about Buddlejas, visit https://www.buddlejagarden.co.uk/