Rondeletia leucophylla (Panama Rose)

If you're looking to add a splash of color and attract fluttering butterflies, the Panama Rose is a must-have for your butterfly garden. This stunning shrub, reaching up to 5 feet, is a true butterfly magnet with its bright pink, star-shaped flowers that bloom in clusters. The sweet nectar from these flowers draws in butterflies, making it the perfect addition for a garden that thrives on natural pollinators.

But the Panama Rose offers more than just vibrant blooms - it has an enchanting fragrance that becomes more noticeable after sunset, making evenings in your garden even more magical. Native to Mexico, it s ideal for USDA Zones 9-11, though with the right care, it can thrive in colder regions too. Container-grown plants should be moved indoors if temperatures dip below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

This easy-care shrub does best in full sun with regular watering, and it can even handle occasional flooding in wetter climates. While pruning is rarely needed, the plant maintains a natural, bushy, and spreading shape that adds beauty to any landscape. Its cheerful, cup-shaped flowers bloom from November through early summer, re-emerging sporadically through the rest of the year.With its butterfly- and hummingbird-friendly flowers, the Panama Rose brings not just beauty, but life to your garden.

As a small shrub, Rondeletia leucophylla is suited as a bonsai specimen. It can also be used in borders and extensive gardens.