Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Birthday Cake® Butterfly Bush piles on color with dense, magenta-pink flower spikes from late spring through frost on a naturally compact, rounded shrub. The tidy size fits patios, porches, and front borders, while the honeyed fragrance pulls in butterflies, bees, and passing hummingbirds.
Clean gray-green foliage and a steady bloom cycle keep the show rolling for months with minimal upkeep. Use one as a cheerful accent in a mixed bed or cluster several to create a low wildlife corridor that’s easy to manage.
Birthday Cake® Butterfly Bush Care
Plant in full sun (6–8+ hours) and well-drained soil; this shrub prefers conditions on the drier side once established. Water regularly the first season, then give deep, occasional soakings during hot, dry stretches. Feed lightly in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a compost top-dress.
Cut back hard in late winter or very early spring to 12–18 inches to refresh the framework—flowers form on new growth. Snip spent panicles through summer to encourage continuous flowering. Generally hardy in USDA Zones 5–9; provide winter mulch in colder areas and avoid waterlogged sites.
Birthday Cake® Butterfly Bush Spacing
Matures around 3–4 ft tall and wide. For a low, colorful drift, plant 24–30 inches on center; as a single specimen, allow 3–4 ft of open space for good air movement. Keep 2–3 ft from paths or walls for easy pruning and pollinator traffic.
In containers, choose a 14–18"+ diameter pot with excellent drainage and place planters 18–24 inches apart so each shrub can fill out.
Why Grow Birthday Cake® Butterfly Bush?
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Compact habit that packs months of saturated color into small spaces
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Fragrant flower spikes that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
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Sun-loving, drought-tolerant performance once established
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Simple annual cutback and light deadheading keep blooms coming
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Deer-resistant foliage for worry-free borders and patio pots
A small shrub with a long party of blooms—plant Birthday Cake® to sweeten your space and keep pollinators coming back all season.
Birthday Cake Butterfly Bush Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
| Plant Type: |
| Light Exposure: Full Sun (At Least 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 4 - 5 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Spacing: 3 - 4 Feet |
| Habit: Mounded |
| Flower Color(s): Pink, Purple |
| Flower Description: Pinkish Purple |
| Bloom Period: Early Summer to Fall |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Green |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer |
| Tolerates: Heat |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Specimen or Focal Point, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Fragrant, Continuous Blooming or Rebloomer |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: Birthday Cake Butterfly Bush |
| Other Name(s): N/A |
| Scientific Name: Buddleia X `Birthday Cake` |
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!