RoyalRazz® Butterfly Bush

Butterflies, hummingbirds and gardeners are all drawn to the clusters of bright purple flowers that grace the RoyalRazz® Butterfly Bush. These fragrant blooms, the most vivid among butterfly bushes, appear over much of the summer and are excellent in cut-flower arrangements. This butterfly bush, a cultivar of the species Buddleja davidii, has an attractive upright form that make it an excellent focal point in a pollinator-friendly landscape.

Jagged leaves provide an attractive background for the show-stopping blooms. It is low maintenance and fairly drought tolerant once established. Extreme heat does not faze this shrub. Combine the RoyalRazz® Butterfly Bush with perennials like echinacea, Russian sage, bee balm, salvia, and butterfly weed to create a pollinator haven or use several RoyalRazz® plants to create an informal border.

RoyalRazz® Butterfly Bush Care

These plants require full sunlight, or at least 6 hours of sunlight daily, to thrive. They also require excellent drainage. In sites with a high clay content, plant the RoyalRazz® Butterfly Bush “high” so that the top of the rootball is an inch or so above the surrounding soil level. Water this shrub regularly and deeply during its first growing season and then whenever the top 2 inches of soil are dry. The butterfly bush droops when it needs water, which is a helpful reminder to check the soil moisture. Make sure any organic mulch around the plant is pulled back away from the stems to avoid issues with rot. Unless grown in a container, the RoyalRazz® does not require any supplemental fertilizer. In a container, apply a slow-release fertilizer annually in spring when growth appears. 

In cold areas, this shrub often dies back to ground level. Prune off any dead branches, and cut back unruly stems to a leaf node in late spring once green buds begin to appear. Snip off spent flowers to encourage repeat blooming.

RoyalRazz® Butterfly Bush Spacing

This butterfly bush grows 5 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 5 feet, so position multiple plants at least 5 feet apart. The RoyalRazz® Butterfly Bush grows well in containers as long as the pot has ample drainage holes and is able to receive plenty of sunlight and regular watering. 

RoyalRazz® Butterfly Bush Information