Growing guide · Perennials

Buddleja 'SMNBDB'

How to grow Butterfly Bush 'Pugster Pinker'.

Full-size flowers. Fun-size plant.

Light
Full sun
Water
Low
Zones
5–9
Size
18–24 in. tall, 18–24 in. wide
Spacing
2 ft apart, or one per large container.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $55.99
Compact butterfly bush with full-size spikes of rich pink flowers with tiny orange eyes

Light

Full sun. Shade cuts bloom hard.

Water

Water weekly the first summer. Established plants want it on the dry side.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring in well-drained soil, crown at soil level. Avoid low, wet spots.

Feeding

A light slow-release feed in spring, or none at all.

Pruning

In spring, once you see green buds, cut stems back to just above the lowest live buds. Deadhead in summer for more flowers.

Through the year

Slow to leaf out in spring; don't panic. Blooms from July to frost.

If something's off

Late leaf-out is normal; wait until late May before calling it dead. Wet winter soil is the usual killer.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Hardy Geranium Rozanne®
GeraniumHardy Geranium Rozanne® from $32.99
Stonecrop 'Neon'
Hylotelephium spectabileStonecrop 'Neon' from $31.99
Catmint 'Purrsian Blue'
Nepeta × faasseniiCatmint 'Purrsian Blue' from $30.99

Why we stock it: Butterfly bush flowers at a size that fits a pot or the front of a bed.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.

Next
Find your next plant →
All perennials →How we label →
The Sunday Tip · every Sunday

One good plant idea,
every Sunday.

What to plant this week in your zone, every Sunday. New ways to plant and odd tricks that actually work.