Description
Butterfly Bush 'Royal Red' Characteristics
Butterfly Bush 'Royal Red' are large shrubs that grow wider than they do tall. If in ideal condition they can grow up to 12' tall and 15' wide, but these shrubs are vulnerable to cold winter temperatures and may experience significant die back. Not only attractive to butterflies, these fragrant flowers often have bee and hummingbird visitors. Spent flowers give way to seed pods that each contain about 50 seeds. The magnitude of flowers and seeds make these plant hard to contain.
In Pennsylvania, these shrubs are considered to be invasive and can spread wildly. 'Royal Red' is can be vulnerable to the cold Pittsburgh winter and will die back to the ground, or should be cut if die back does not occur. Cutting the plant back encourages better growth and blooms come spring. Quick removal of spent flower clusters can make way for more blooms in the same growing season. Removing spent flower clusters can also help to prevent self seeding and the aggressive propagation that Butterfly Bush is known for.
Insects and diseases are rarely an issue for 'Royal Red'. Spidermites and nematodes may make their homes here.
