Butterfly Bush, Royal Red

Royal Red is a deciduous ornamental shrub known for its long, showy, and fragrant flower spikes. The plant has an upright to arching habit with slender stems and lance-shaped gray-green leaves that form a soft backdrop to the flowers.

Flowers
It produces dense clusters (panicles) of magenta-purple to deep red-purple blossoms that are fragrant and bloom from midsummer into fall (often until frost). The flower spikes can be quite long (often 6–14 inches or more), making the blooms very showy and attractive to pollinators.

Size & Growth
Royal Red typically grows to about 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) tall and 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) wide in the landscape, though height can vary with pruning (plants pruned hard in spring may stay smaller). Growth is fast and vigorous in full sun.

Light & Soil
It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Once established it is drought tolerant and relatively easy to grow, though regular water during establishment helps.

Wildlife & Use
This variety is excellent for attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees to the garden, which is why it’s commonly used in pollinator gardens, borders, and as a specimen plant. It’s also valued as a cut flower.

Maintenance
Since it’s deciduous, it may die back in severe winters and will regrow in spring. Regular pruning in late winter/early spring keeps it compact and encourages abundant blooms. Deadheading (removing spent flowers) prolongs the blooming season.

Hardiness
Suitable for USDA zones 5–9 in typical garden conditions.