Last summer we planted this little bush after receiving it as a gift from daughter. She says it's a Butterfly bush. It started blooming nicely and we we enjoying the visitors all summer and into fall. I saved some seeds and will try to start a new set of plants.
You'll have to let us know if you grow one from seed. I don't know anyone that ever has. Actually, I don't even know what the seeds look like! I deadhead mine most of the year, but still don't think I've ever seen anything that looked like a seed.
I just usually buy them since they aren't usually expensive and I can find clearance ones. I lost a pink one last year but got another one at the end of the season. It looks like I lost my white one at some point too. It was right next to my big white crepe myrtle so now I'll replace it with a brighter color.
What a lovely photo! What zone are you in?
Located in North Texas (30 miles west of Fort Worth). We get short freezes. Just when my little peach tree started to bloom we had a 28 degree for one night. Checked after last blooms feel off and I see many teeny little peaches sprouting, so we can look forward to a noce crop.
About the question relating to seeds on the Butterfly Plant. About three week after the bloom there are many black seeds (about 2-3 mm size). I planted a few in little mulch containers and after 4 weeks I see about 4 coming out, just the two starter leaves. I should have probably soaked them for a while in wet paper towels. So it is possible to get new plants from seeds.
And thanks for the nice comment about the Monarch photo. With a brisk wind shaking the plant it took about 10 pics before I got two that where in close-up focus. Here is the second one.
Nice picture! What is the butterfly? I deadhead mine too until fall. I've never has a seedling, nor has any grown where I throw my clippings. Right now I have Nanho Blue. It only gets 5' tall and wide. I had Royal Red and lost it after a couple of years. I love them. I'm really interested in Bicolor this year.
I just ordered my first little butterfly bush, Royal Blue I think it's called. I hope I get a monarch with it like Bavarian's!
I think your bush is a chaste tree, somebody sent me some seeds, I hope they will grow now that I see your success!
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/18465/
I've had five butterfly bushes for six years and am totally surprised about the seeds. I deadhead them, but sometimes it takes me a while to get them all done. I wonder why I'm not getting little sprouts if they would be dropping seeds. A whole new thing to look for!!!
Oh, I think you are right Zarcanat. It looks like a Vitex to me too. Very observant! I didn't look at the pic that close. I was too busy thinking about those seeds.
I deadhead for a while but then it gets to where I can't reach them. After I posted a few days ago I remembered seeing a baby BB in my bed. Since I haven't ever actually seen seeds I figured it came up from some sort of runner. I dug it up to move today and it's got a good set of roots on it too. I guess it must have come from a seed. I'm interested to know what color it turns out to be.
I'm new to this group and am very interested in the butterfly bush. I have two White Profusion that have returned the past two years. I haven't found seeds on them, but today I read an interesting article that said Buddleia is almost considered an invasive plant.
http://butterflygardeners.com/buddleia.htm
I read this immediately after ordering 6 new butterfly bushes for my garden so hope I won't be sorry. I would be interested in knowing if anyone is growing Buddleia crispa (Himalayan)? Thanks! Susan
Well I don't know where this stuff is reseeding to, but in 4 yrs of having mine this is my first seedling. I have had more die than I have had sprout up. My white one lasted 2 seasons but for some reason just bit the dust this year. I had a pink one die last year after it started oozing something black! blech! I just buy new ones.
I don't think you are going to have any problem or be sorry that you bought them. If you don't prune them back each year they can get really big. I prune mine really low and they just start right over.
If you haven't, you should start your own thread asking about the Himalayan one. (put that in the subject line)
A big ol 'hearty' welcome to DG, to ya .. Bavarian!
A very nice shot of your plant gift from your daughter and it's beautiful visitor. I think your butterfly is either the Giant Swallowtail .. or, quite possibly, the Thoas Swallowtail .. I've read that it's a bit difficult to decipher the two.
The Thoas Swallowtail Butterfly {Houston Museum of Natural Science} > http://www.hmns.org/eventDetail.asp?id=8&xml=butterflies.xml&o=/see_do/butterfly_center/butterflies.asp
And, more .. from the Houston Museum of Natural Science > http://www.hmns.org/see_do/butterfly_center/butterflies.asp
More butterflies, from Southeastern Outdoors > http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/insects/butterfly-photos.html
I would have certainly mistaken the flowering plant with my tired ol eyes, for sure!! .. hee
I've had Butterfly Bushes for the last 7 years, and although I too, have failed to see any seed (let alone, even think about seed from them) - - they apparently do re-seed relatively easy. The lil 'sproutlets' have been the dickens to keep in-check. I'll not debate the mention of [them] being 'almost' considered invasive; for I 'almost' agree with the article you'd read, ohsusanna!
I resorted to digging and moving the mature plants elsewhere so they can drop all their lil uncontrolable offspring, they want. I think they've rebeled tho' (hee) - for they've been slow to recover. May be just the different ground/soil I moved them to .. or I'm just anxious to see them leaf out in the new spot.
- Magpye
Here is what the B'Bush seed look like.
The seed were gathered in December, they take a long time to mature.
Andy P
Hi Mags!!
This is what a ripe seed head looks like.
Andy P
Oh wow, thanks for that pic. I probably haven't had many blooms get that ripe.
Ah hah!! ..
No wonder [we] can't find the seed on the bush!! .. LoL
Thanks, for the xcellent pic, Andy _ P .. and the lil howdy .. ((huggs))
Bavarian, where are ya? Have you gotten misplaced while doin' your 'new' DG shuffle? Maneuvering about, on here .. will whoop ya out. (welllllll .. it does it to me!) .. hee
- Magpye
