Birthday Cake Butterfly Bush (Buddleia x ‘PODARASNGA 3-30’ USPPAF, CPBRAF) showcases tall, bright pink flower clusters that stand upright like candles, creating a striking display in summer and fall. Reaching around four to five feet tall with a narrower spread of two to three feet, it fits neatly into borders or container plantings without overwhelming nearby plants. The fragrant blooms invite butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, while the plant’s deer resistance keeps curious wildlife at bay. Appreciated for its compact shape, this variety offers a fresh alternative to traditional, more sprawling butterfly bushes. The showy flower spikes deliver a visual treat that sets it apart in any sun-drenched garden.
In addition to its floral appeal, Birthday Cake Butterfly Bush demonstrates heat tolerance and moderate drought resistance once established, contributing to its low-maintenance reputation. The upright habit works well as a specimen, grouped in mass plantings, or placed along mixed borders. A thoughtful breeding process has produced sterile blooms, preventing unwanted self-seeding issues typical with older Buddleia varieties. It thrives across Zones 5 through 9, making it broadly adaptable. Whether in containers or permanent beds, it maintains a season-long display of color.
Birthday Cake Butterfly Bush Care
Select a sunny location that offers at least six hours of direct light each day. Provide well-draining soil, enriched with compost or organic matter if the ground tends to retain water. Water weekly during the first growing season, letting the top inch of soil dry slightly between watering sessions to discourage root rot. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring supports steady growth and abundant blooms. Mulching around the base helps maintain even soil moisture and keeps weeds at bay.
Prune in late winter or early spring, cutting back old stems to promote fresh shoots and fuller growth. Deadheading spent flowers through the blooming season encourages new blooms. In colder climates, applying an extra layer of mulch near the root zone may offer added winter protection. Container-grown plants benefit from occasional trimming and repotting if roots become crowded.
Birthday Cake Butterfly Bush Spacing
Place shrubs about two to three feet apart for a more cohesive hedge or mass planting. If you prefer a slightly looser design, increase spacing to give each plant ample room for its upright form. In containers, choose a pot about 16 to 18 inches in diameter, providing enough space for healthy root development. Size up every few years to refresh the potting soil and provide more space for the root ball.
- SKU:
- 1231020564-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations