Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Big blooms on a truly compact plant—that’s the magic of Pugster Sorbet™ Butterfly Bush. It matures just 2–3 feet tall and wide, yet carries full-sized flower spikes that look almost oversized for its sturdy frame. Each bloom stack blends soft lavender and white, creating a pastel, sorbet-like effect that shifts gently along the panicle. Unlike older dwarf types with skimpy flowers, this one delivers the same impact as large buddleia on a border-friendly scale.
Part of the Pugster® series, Buddleia 'SMNBWXPP' was bred for thick stems, improved hardiness, and heavy bloom production on new wood. It flowers from early summer until frost without deadheading and carries a light, sweet fragrance that draws butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. As a member of the In-Check® program, it sets little to no seed, offering classic butterfly bush appeal without disrupting ecosystems. It is deer, rabbit, heat, and drought resistant for easy growing.
Pugster Sorbet™ Butterfly Bush Care
Plant in full sun for dense growth and continuous flowering. Well-drained soil is essential, especially in winter. A neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.5 and 7.5 works best. In heavier soils, set the root ball slightly higher than grade to prevent moisture from collecting at the crown. Water deeply during establishment, then allow the soil to dry between soaks, as butterfly bush resents prolonged damp conditions. A light application of granular fertilizer in early spring is sufficient to support vigorous bloom.
Because it flowers on new growth, prune in early spring once green buds begin to swell. Cut stems back to just above a healthy set of buds to maintain a dense, rounded shape. In colder zones, be patient in spring—this shrub is often slow to break dormancy.
Pugster Sorbet™ Butterfly Bush Spacing
Space plants 2–3 feet apart in landscape borders or mass plantings for a low hedge effect. For container planting, one shrub fills a 16–18 inch patio pot beautifully. In landscape design, combine Pugster Sorbet™ with salvia for layered summer color, catmint for a soft base, and coneflower to extend pollinator appeal across the season.
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.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 30th |
| Zone 9 | March 30th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
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: Oregon, 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!