Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Pugster Blue butterfly bush is featured in the Proven Winners "Pied Piper" magazine advertisement.
The Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush is a dwarf compact butterfly bush that packs a full-size punch. It has full flowers for such a compact plant. The bloom season is long and continuous. It is sturdy and made to survive colder climates. It is drought tolerant, and resistant to deer. It attracts pollinators with its fragrant flowers.
The Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush has green foliage and attractive, full-sized, true-blue blooms. Its blooms are continuous and long blooming. Bloom season begins in the early spring and lasts through the seasons first frost. The flower it produces is fragrant which attracts pollinators. It reaches a height of twenty-four inches. This butterfly bush has a spread of up to thirty-six inches. Use the Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush as a border plant or for ground cover. Plant in containers to keep close by to enjoy its fragrance. It does well with mass planting and makes a stunning focal point.
Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush Care
This is a sun loving plant. It needs to be planted in full sun and receive at minimum six hours of sun per day. It has average water needs. Soil should be well drained. This butterfly bush prefers average soil but is adaptable to most soil types. Apply slow release fertilizer in the spring. Pruning is not recommended. Trim to shape in the spring. Deadheading is not necessary to encourage reblooming.
Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush Spacing
Spacing for the Pugster Blue Butterfly Bush is at minimum 36” inches, center on center. Proper spacing is important to give your plant proper room to grow to its mature size. It also ensures a healthy root system.
Interesting Fact(s) - The name "Pugster" comes from the resemblance to a pug - short, stocky, and cute! There are five varieties we offer: Pugster Amethyst, Pugster Blue, Pugster Periwinkle, Pugster Pink, and Pugster White.
Compare Pugster® Butterfly Bushes
Compare flower color, mature size, and the features that set each Pugster® butterfly bush apart.
| Variety | Flower Color | Mature Size | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rich purple-pink | 1–2' H × 1–2' W | Smallest Pugster® for tight spaces, edging & containers | |
| Amethyst purple | 2' H × 2' W | Soft purple flowers with contrasting warm-colored eyes | |
| Rich pink | 2' H × 2–2.5' W | Saturated pink flowers with contrasting orange eyes | |
| Deep violet-blue | 2' H × 2–3' W | Large violet-blue flower spikes on a compact dwarf shrub | |
| Periwinkle purple | 2' H × 2–3' W | Cool-toned lavender-purple flowers on a low, mounded plant | |
| Soft pink | 2' H × 2–3' W | Classic soft pink Pugster® color with full-sized flower spikes | |
| White | 2' H × 2–3' W | Crisp white flowers for bright contrast in mixed plantings | |
| Purple & white | 2–3' H × 2–3' W | Multicolored flowers that transition from white toward purple |
Pugster Blue® Butterfly Bush Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-3 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Blue
- Flower Description
- Blue
- Bloom Time
- Early Summer to Fall
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Pugster Blue® Butterfly Bush
- Also Known As
- Buddleja
- Botanical Name
- Pugster Blue Buddleia x 'SMNBDBT' USPP 28,794
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Deciduous
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
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, 2026 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: ID, OR, WA, 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!