Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush

Buddleia 'SMNBDL'

Proven Winners®

Compact Pugster® Amethyst Grows Just One-quarter the Size of Standard Butterfly Bushes with Full-sized Fragrant Flowers
Thrives in Zones 5-9
Grows 1-3 ft Tall and Wide
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant
Sweetly Fragrant Flowers

$26¹⁷

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Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This shrub needs full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily. While it can survive in partial shade, you will see fewer purple flower spikes and the stems may become leggy rather than staying compact.
Soil: It prefers well-drained soil that does not hold standing water. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a raised mound or add organic compost to the planting hole to ensure the roots can breathe and avoid rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water deeply twice a week to help the roots dive deep into the soil. Once established, this Butterfly Bush is quite drought-tolerant, but consistent moisture during the hottest weeks of summer ensures the blooms stay vibrant and do not wilt prematurely. Avoid frequent shallow sprinkling, which encourages weak surface roots and makes the plant less resilient during dry spells.

Pruning Tips

The Pugster® series blooms on new wood, so you should prune it back to about 12 inches high in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge. Think of this like a seasonal "reset" that clears out dead stems and encourages a flush of fresh, vigorous branches that will carry this year's flowers. Deadheading spent blooms throughout the summer is also helpful because it signals the plant to keep producing new flower spikes instead of putting energy into seeds.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as the first green leaves appear to fuel the summer growth spurt. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this can force tender new growth that will not have time to harden off before the first frost. This late-season growth is easily damaged by cold temperatures and can stress the overall health of the shrub.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Compact/Dwarf, Seedless, Flowering, Fragrant, Deer-resistant, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Heat Tolerant, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	1-3 ft
Width	1-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Fast
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact
Blooms In	Fall, Summer
Flower Color	Purple
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Buddleia 'SMNBDL'
Species	hybrid
Cultivar	SMNBDL
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR

Never fear! The Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush (Buddleia 'SMNBDL') is here to fill your garden up with all of the beauty of the bigger Butterfly Bushes but only take up a quarter of the space. Growing a Butterfly Bush is one of the pure joys of the summer garden. The colors are gorgeous and the scent is heavenly and butterflies overwhelmingly agree!

Pugster® has full-sized (and sometimes even bigger!) flowers, just like the full-sized shrubs, but on lush plants that maintain a smaller footprint. The plump blooms are fragrant and accent the aromatic silvery gray-green leaves and dense branching. Not only will the butterflies adore these blooms, but the Hummingbirds will show up in full force too!

Pugster® Amethyst is an icy shade of cool purple that looks great in the garden and is especially pretty in the vase. They have thick stems that are tailor-made for cutting, too! Hardy throughout USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, Pugster® Buddleia only grow about 2 feet in height and width at maturity!

Planting and Application:

Don't worry about cutting the flowers to bring inside. Pugster® Amethyst is a flower machine and will keep blooming for you all summer up to the first frost. Speaking of frost, Pugster®'s are very cold hardy, down to -20! You'll enjoy loads of blooms in bouquets without depriving your bees and butterflies of a moment of nectar.

Butterfly Bushes are usually back-of-the-border shrubs, tall, and a little lanky with big arching stems that end in big cone-shaped panicles of richly hued flowers. Unfortunately, not every garden has room for these big boys. So choose the Pugster® Amethyst for compact, small-space gardening instead!

You'll want to use these little gems in the front of the border, in Cottage or Pollinator gardens, and to fill in gaps in your perennial flower beds and borders! These small-footprint shrubs even work great in containers, too!

Extra-Large & Fluffy Lavender Flower Panicles
Long Bloom Time, Rebloom & Late-Season Color
Butterflies Adore Them - Nectar-Rich Resources
Aromatic Silvery Sage Green Foliage
Beautiful Front of the Border, Edging & Container Plants

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Butterfly Bushes are easy to grow and need full sun to do their very best. Plant with Nature Hills Root Booster in a well-drained enriched site with a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch covering the entire root system. These durable plants are waterwise. Buddleias do best in well-drained soil with moderate enrichment, but they won't tolerate wet roots. Use containers or elevate the planting bed, if your soil drains poorly.

Deadheading the old blooms keeps the plant fresh-looking and keeps those flowers coming! Buddleia can act as herbaceous Perennials in cooler climates but are woody shrubs in warmer winter-growing zones. Prune back in the early spring before new growth emerges, nipping off any winter dieback. In cooler climates, in early spring, cut all of the branches down to a foot or less and allow all new growth to produce incredible new growth and flowers.

Full Sun Shrubs/Perennial Plants
Well-Drained Soil Of Any Kind
Moderate to Low Moisture
Deer & Drought Resistant
Prune In Early Spring

No matter what size your garden, there is room for the full-sized flowers on this petite Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush! Don't wait until we sell out, order yours today from Nature Hills.

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Growing Zones 5-9

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the planting requirements for the Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush, like sun and soil?

Pugster® Amethyst thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and tolerates temperatures down to -20°F. Like most butterfly bushes, it needs full sun and well-draining soil to produce its best blooms. Plant in spring after frost danger passes, spacing 2-3 feet apart since mature size is just 2x2 feet.

What size is the Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush when it ships?

The Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush ships as a young plant that will mature to just 2 feet tall and wide. This compact Buddleia is hardy in zones 5-9 and blooms from summer until frost. Plant it in spring for best establishment, available at naturehills.com.

When does the Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush bloom, and how long?

Pugster® Amethyst blooms continuously from summer through the first frost. This compact butterfly bush produces fragrant, icy purple flower panicles all season long on a plant that stays just 2 feet tall and wide. Cut freely for bouquets since it's a prolific rebloomer.

What kind of watering does the Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush require after planting?

Water deeply once or twice weekly during the first growing season to establish roots. Pugster® Amethyst is quite drought tolerant once established in zones 5-9. Reduce watering frequency after the first year, only supplementing during extended dry spells.

Is fertilizer needed for the Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush, and when?

Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush benefits from light fertilizing in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. This compact shrub is naturally vigorous and blooms continuously through frost in zones 5-9 without heavy feeding. Apply fertilizer when new growth emerges for best results - shop at Nature Hills for premium options.

Will the Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush survive harsh northern winters in zone 5?

Yes, Pugster® Amethyst is hardy in USDA zone 5 and can withstand temperatures down to -20°F. This compact butterfly bush is specifically bred for cold tolerance while maintaining full-sized blooms. Plant in a protected location and apply winter mulch for best results in harsh northern climates.

Pugster® Amethyst Butterfly Bush

Buddleia 'SMNBDL'