Pugster Blue® Butterfly Bush

A smaller habit, but not smaller blooms. Pugster® Blue buddleia has the same impact as a full size plant, but with a much smaller footprint. You’ll love how its massive dark blue blooms (measuring up to six inches long) decorate the stocky habit. Each bloom pops up, almost like a firework. Easily cheer up any space by adding it to a border or using it as a low hedge. You’ll add plants, but not extra worry. After it’s established, it is extraordinarily drought tolerant and doesn’t need any deadheading to bloom from summer straight through to frost. You’ll only need to give it a quick trim in spring to encourage that vigorous new growth each season. Pugster Blue butterfly bush is a Blue Ribbon Winner for performance in the University of California low irrigation landscape trials.

Why grow Pugster® Blue buddleia?

– Impressive bloom size
– Impactful dark blue coloring
– Very low maintenance

Additional information

Dimensions2 × 2 ft
Botanical Name

<i>Buddleia</i> 'SMNBDBT' PP#28,794, CBR#6486

Zone

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Flower Color

Blue

Foliage Color

Green

Height

2'

Width/Spread

2-3'

Exposure

Full Sun

Soil

Average, Dry, Well-drained

Bloom Time

Fall, Summer, Summer to Frost

Uses

Borders, Containers, Cottage gardens, Edging, Low Hedges, Mass Planting

Features

Attracts pollinators, Compact, Deadheading not necessary, Deer resistant, Drought tolerant, Fragrant, Heat tolerant, Reblooming

Blooms On

Old and new wood

Plant Care

Light: Enjoys a full sun location best. This is any spot that receives six hours or more of direct exposure to sunlight. Less exposure will result in a less vigorous plant.

Soil: Needs well-draining soil, as it really resents being overly wet or soggy at any time. If planting in clay soil or soil that drains a little slowly, plant it a bit higher in the hole. This means the soil level around the rootball will be a bit lower, half an inch or so will usually suffice.

Water: Very, very drought tolerant once established.

Fertilizing: Apply a granular fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs in late winter/early spring when the soil is workable.

Pruning: Pruning is recommended in spring after it has started to emerge. Remove weak branches in the middle and about 1/2 to 2/3 of the height and width. Make cuts just about 1/4 of an inch above a bud. Dead or damaged wood can be removed at any time, just cut back to a set of leaves!

Other: This plant emerges a bit later than many other garden plants. If you’re afraid it has died over the winter, have patience and watch for emerging pale green leaf buds at the base of the plant once the temperatures are steadily warm.