Buddleja davidii 'Royal Red'

Buddleja davidii
'Royal Red' panicles
Cultivar	'Royal Red'
Origin	Good & Reese nursery, Ohio, USA

Buddleja davidii 'Royal Red' is an old American cultivar raised by Karle A. Lucal, introduced by the Good & Reese nursery, Ohio, and patented in 1942. ^[1] Introduced to the UK after the Second World War, 'Royal Red' has become one of the most successful buddleja cultivars of all time, and still regarded as the best of the older 'reds'. The shrub was accorded the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Merit in 1950, and the Award of Garden Merit (record 680) in 1993 (reaffirmed 2010). ^[2] In 1997, 'Royal Red' was placed 9th in a public poll of 57 Buddleja taxa conducted by the University of Georgia. ^[3]

Synonymy

'Royal Red' is also marketed in the USA as Buddleja davidii 'Burgundy'.^[3]

Description

'Royal Red' is a large, vigorous, arching shrub growing to a height of 5 m, distinguished by its large, fragrant panicles, 25–40 cm long, of reddish-purple flowers. The leaves are long and pointed, dark green with white-felted undersides. ^{[4] [5]}

Cultivation

'Royal Red' is widely and commonly cultivated in the USA and Europe, notably the UK. Hardiness: USDA zones 5–9. ^[6]

References

1. Hatch, L. (2007). Cultivars of Woody Plants. Vol. 1 (A-G) 2007 Edition. TCR Press Horticultural PDF. books.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2010).Trials Report 2008-2010 Buddleja davidii and its close hybrids. Trials Office, The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley.
3. Gillman, J., Dirr, M, and Braman, K. (1997). Evaluation and selection of superior Buddleja taxa for Georgia parks and gardens. University of Georgia, USA.
4. Dirr, M. (1997). Encyclopaedia of Trees & Shrubs. Timber Press, Oregon. ISBN 978-0-88192-901-0
5. Royal Horticultural Society. (1994). New Encyclopaedia of Plants and Flowers, 2nd Edition. Dorling Kindersley, London.
6. Stuart, D. D. (2006). Buddlejas. RHS Plant Collector Guide. Timber Press, Oregon. ISBN 978-0-88192-688-0