Maintenance Landscaping Design

Buddleia royal red is a bushy, deciduous shrub with long, arching branches. The shrub has lance-shaped, dark green leaves and blooms in summer with long, red, cone-shaped flower clusters. Buddleia royal red is a heat- and drought-tolerant plant that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Alternative name

• Bush's king
  
• Butterfly bush
  
• Summer lilac
  
• Orange eye
  
• Mountain Glory

Things to Know

• Buddleja 'Royal Red' is a hybrid cultivar of Buddleja davidii.
  
• It was raised by Henry B. Alexander of the Hayes Nursery, Tennessee, USA, and introduced commercially in 198
  
• The cultivar grows to a height of 5–3 m (8 ft 2 in–9 ft 10 in) with a spread of 5–3 m (8 ft 2 in–9 ft 10 in).
  
• The dark purple-red (RHS 57B) flowers are borne in terminal panicles 20–30 cm (8–12 in) long.
  
• Flowers are followed by egg-shaped dark brown seeds.
  
• 'Royal Red' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
  
• It is hardy down to ?18 °C (0 °F) and tolerant of winds and salt spray.
  
• It prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
  
• 'Royal Red' is attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.
  
• The cultivar is propagated by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings.

Related plant:
Buddleia Flower Power

How to Grow

1. For buddleia royal red, first step is to choose the right location. The plant prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
   
2. Next, prepare the planting area by loosening the soil and adding organic matter such as compost or manure.
   
3. Dig a hole that is twice the width and depth of the plant’s root ball.
   
4. Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole.
   
5. Backfill the hole with soil, tamping it down as you go.
   
6. Water the plant deeply after planting.
   
7. Once the plant is established, water it once a week during dry weather.
   
8. Fertilize the plant once a year with a balanced fertilizer.
   
9. Prune the plant in late winter or early spring to promote new growth.
   
10. Enjoy the colorful blooms of your buddleia royal red all summer long!

Related plant:
Miss Molly Buddleia

Soil Condition

About soil condition, it prefers well-drained soil, and it is drought tolerant once established. It is tolerant of most pH levels, but it does best in slightly acidic soil. It can be placed in full sun or partial shade, but it will flower best in full sun.

Light requirement

Not too different with other butterfly bushes, the Buddleia Royal Red prefers full sun to partial sun. It will also tolerate some shade, but it may not bloom as profusely in shadier spots. This perennial is drought-tolerant once it's established, so it's a good choice for sunny, dry areas of the garden.

Good Temperature

The temperature conditions that are ideal for Buddleia Royal Red are warm weather with either full sun or partial sun. This shrub can tolerate some shade, but it will not produce as many flowers if it is not in full sun. The ideal temperature for this plant is between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ideal Humidity

Ideal humidity condition for this plant are achieved when the weather is hot and muggy, which is why it's commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. If you live in an area with cooler weather, you can still grow this plant, but you'll need to provide extra humidity. One way to do this is to set the plant's pot on a tray of pebbles and water.

The Fertilizer

About fertilizer, this plant requires little to none. A slow release fertilizer can be applied in the spring. Be careful not to over fertilize as this may cause the plant to produce more leaves than flowers. The best way to encourage growth and flowering is to regularly prune the plant. This will stimulate new growth and encourage more flowers. When it comes to the roots of the Buddleia Royal Red, they are quite hearty and resilient. This plant does not require much in the way of special care when it comes to the roots. Just make sure that the plant is getting enough water and that the soil is not too dry. If you see the leaves begin to wilt, this is a sign that the roots are not getting enough water.

About light

Pruning is an important part of caring for your Buddleia royal red. Pruning helps to promote new growth, encourages more flowers, and keeps the plant tidy. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or damaged branches. Cut back the main stems by about one third. You can also prune side shoots back to about 6 inches.

The Propagation

Propagation is best done in late spring or early summer by taking semi-ripe cuttings. Cuttings should be about 6 inches (15 cm) long and taken from the current season’s growth. Remove the bottom leaves and insert the cuttings into a well-drained propagating mix. Firm the mix around the cutting and water well. Place the pot in a shady spot and keep the soil moist. Cuttings should root within 6-8 weeks. Once rooted, pot the cuttings up into individual pots and grow on in a sunny spot.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is during the late spring and early summer when the weather is warm and there is plenty of rainfall. However, it can also grow well in the fall and winter if the temperature is not too cold and there is some rain or snow. The plant prefers full sun but will also grow in partial shade. It can tolerate most soil types as long as it is well-drained.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are root rot, stem rot, and leaf spot. If you see any of these problems, it is best to remove the affected plant parts and destroy them. Also, make sure to water the plant deeply and regularly, especially during the hotter months.

Tips on Growing

• Do not forget to water your Buddleia regularly, especially during the hottest months of the year.
  
• The trick to getting your Buddleia to produce lots of flowers is to pinch back the tips of the stems (called "deadheading"). This will encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
  
• Buddleia is a relatively fast-growing plant, so you may need to prune it back once or twice a year to keep it in bounds.
  
• To keep your Buddleia looking its best, fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year.
  
• If you live in an area with cold winters, you'll need to protect your Buddleia by covering it with a burlap cloth or placing it in a heated greenhouse.
  
• Buddleia is relatively disease-resistant, but you may still occasionally see some leaf spot or powdery mildew. These can be controlled with a fungicide if they become a problem

Alternative Plants

• Buddleja davidii (butterfly bush) is a species of flowering plant in the figwort family SCROPHULARIACEAE, native to central and western China, but invasive in other parts of the world.
  
• Buddleja asiatica, known as Asian butterfly bush, is a species of flowering plant in the figwort family SCROPHULARIACEAE, native to central and western China.
  
• Buddleja globosa, commonly known as the orange ball tree, is a species of flowering plant in the figwort family SCROPHULARIACEAE, native to central Chile.
  
• Buddleja madagascariensis is a species of flowering plant in the figwort family SCROPHULARIACEAE, native to Madagascar.
  
• Buddleja colvilei is a species of flowering plant in the figwort family SCR

Source:
Buddleia | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University
Buddleia globosa | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University
Buddleia alternifolia | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University