Choose Pugster Sorbet™ if you want a compact pollinator shrub with two-tone bloom color near a walk, patio, or small border. The tradeoff: it is not a privacy plant and needs a bright, well-drained spot to bloom hard.
Buy This If
You want butterflies nearby.
You prefer compact shrubs.
You like purple-white blooms.
Skip This If
You need winter structure.
Your soil stays wet.
You want a tall screen.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
B+
The bloom color carries well up close, but the plant is too compact to anchor a large bed by itself.
Growth Rate
B
It fills in at a useful pace without acting like a fast, coarse shrub.
Maintenance
B+
Give it good drainage and routine cleanup, and it stays fairly straightforward for most homeowners.
Deer Resistance
A-
Butterfly bush is a good pick where browsing is a concern, though no plant should be treated as untouchable.
Small Space Fit
A
Its compact habit makes it much easier to place than larger butterfly bushes.
Screening Value
D
This is a flowering accent shrub, not a plant for privacy or blocking views.
Compare It To
Pugster Blue® Butterfly Bush | PW
Choose Pugster Sorbet™ for softer two-tone color; choose Pugster Blue® Butterfly Bush | PW if you want a stronger blue-purple look.
Pugster White® Butterfly Bush | PW
Choose Pugster Sorbet™ if you want more color in the flower; choose Pugster White® Butterfly Bush | PW for a cleaner white planting scheme.
Miss Molly Butterfly Bush
Choose Pugster Sorbet™ for tighter spaces; choose Miss Molly Butterfly Bush if you want warmer red-purple color and have more room.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend this for homeowners who want pollinator activity and summer color without giving up much bed space. Do not use it as the backbone of the planting.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
2–3 ft
Mature Width
2–3 ft
Hardiness Zones
5a-10a
Spacing
2–3 ft on center Plant 2–3 ft from structures Needs good drainage
Sun
Full Sun
Moisture
Average to moist
Growth Habit
compact
Customers Usually Ask
Will it attract butterflies?
Yes, that is one of the main reasons to plant it.
Can it go in a container?
Yes, use a pot with drainage and keep watering consistent.
Does it need pruning?
Plan on spring cleanup to keep the plant tidy and blooming well.
Privacy & Screening: Many varieties grow dense and full, making them ideal for natural hedges and property boundaries.
Seasonal Color & Texture: From evergreen foliage to flowering varieties, shrubs provide visual interest in every season.
Shrubs Grown to Perform in New England
At Pro Growers of New England, our shrubs are grown and maintained locally to perform in true New England conditions. From flowering varieties to evergreen foundation plants, each shrub is properly spaced, pruned, and cared for to develop strong root systems and balanced structure before it ever reaches your landscape.
Unlike large online sellers that ship plants long distances, we invite you to visit our nursery, walk the rows, and inspect the exact shrubs available. You can see the size, health, and fullness in person — ensuring there are no surprises upon delivery.
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Randy Cheney
I was very happy with my experience! Pro Growers are not only a quality outfit, but they have the best prices hands down!
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
Randy Cheney
Top notch service and product quality. I didn’t know what to expect seeing the ads on Facebook, so I went to the greenhouse. They had a wonderful variety of products and a very helpful staff. The delivery and installers were fast, neat and friendly. Pro Growers will be me go to for now on!
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Cynthia Boardman
Starting with the owner, who gave us expert advice, along with a great group of installers, this company was a pleasure to work with.
Fair prices and great product. You can’t go wrong
Installation Service ($25)
Kayla Sem
Easy ordering, delivery and installation! Highly recommend ordering from Pro Growers of New England.
The two gentlemen that did the arborvitae installation were absolutely excellent. They listened to exactly what we wanted, mapped out the spots, and worked quickly and thoroughly to get it done. Outstanding work!
Top notch service and product quality. I didn’t know what to expect seeing the ads on Facebook, so I went to the greenhouse. They had a wonderful variety of products and a very helpful staff. The delivery and installers were fast, neat and friendly. Pro Growers will be me go to for now on!
It helps us recommend plants that are best for your local climate, based on your growing zone. Also, because we ship plants based on when they are best for your local climate, it allows us to give you a more accurate estimate of when your order will ship.
