Hi, everyone--
I recently read that Buddleia alternifolia (which blooms much earlier than the 'davidii') is an excellent spring butterfly plant.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/79003/
(We already have the davidii, but I am looking for a spring BF bloomer and this photo was so beautiful I thought I just had to have it!)
Can anyone tell me about how it grows for them (and if the butterflies do love it?). Thanks so much. t.
Does anyone grow Buddleia alternifolia for butterflies?
I have one, but it's very small and has been in a pot waiting to plant in my new landscape, so the butterflies weren't able to find it this year.
There are some differences between it and B. davidii--I know many people in colder climates than mine cut davidii almost to the ground in the winter or spring and then it resprouts from the base, and I know you don't need to do that with this one. I think it also blooms on old wood vs new like davidii so if you want to prune it, I would do it just after blooming.
Thanks ecrane--
I wanted one because in our area they say they bloom much earlier than the davidii--and from the pic in plant files it is so pretty (almost too pretty to believe!)
I found a few places on the internet to purchase starts, but I think I'll go out today and see if I can find a local source for a bigger bush. Hope so.
I hope you're able to find it--I don't recall ever seeing them in nurseries out here, all they sell are davidii cultivars and occasionally x weyeriana, but maybe you'll have more luck than I did! There are a number of mail order places with good Watchdog ratings that sell it and I think it'll grow pretty fast so even if you have to do it that way there's a decent chance you'll see flowers next year (I got mine in a 4" pot in ~ February of this year from I think Yuccado, and it bloomed for me within a few weeks of getting it--only a couple of flowers of course since it was still small)
The one thing I should warn you on these other species of buddleia is that they don't seem to bloom as long as davidii (probably why it's so popular!). I have/had a number of different species, and the bloom periods all seem shorter, and I haven't had much luck with deadheading to keep them blooming. Of course it may be because they're all young and they'll get better with age, but wanted to make sure you knew about my experience so you're not disappointed (they are gorgeous when they're blooming though, at least once the plant gets bigger).
I don't grow any buddleai species because they are starting to show themselves as invasive in some parts of the country - particuarly the PNW.
Some alternative early bloomers that are great for butterflies are penstemon grandiflorus, aquilegia canadensis, geranium maculatum, polemonium reptans, zizia aurea
Tabasco,
I have that Buddleia growing here and it's been blooming off and on all summer. Darius brought this one down from NC with her last winter.
The butterflies do seem to like it, but I have so many attractors here in my yard that don't seem to form any attachments to any one plant. They are just all over the place, many different kinds of b'flies.
Molly
:^))))
Thank you, ecrane, for the clarification on your 'plant review'. I am sure we will be OK.
Thanks for the additional information on the alternifolia, joepyeweed. It's so often a challenge to keep track of what plants are considered invasive, where, and by whom. I had forgotten that buddleia had made some lists, particularly in WA and the PNW. I grow all the other plants you mentioned in our spring garden, with the exception of the zizia. All very nice plants.
You are lucky Molly to have so many butterflies! Sounds like fun!
p.s. Please tell Darius I send a 'hello' to her. I seldom see her posting any more--the site has gotten so big!
Well thank you. I do love the b'flies and now more recently the h'birds. I can't wait for the sleep and creep stages are over. My front yard has no real order so the little pretties will love it.
I think you should go say hello yourself. She will be happy to hear from you. She's been busy getting her new place situated and getting ready for winter. She doesn't hang out but in a couple places generally. You just have to know where to look. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/629259/
Molly
:^))))