First I'll admit I'm lazy today...Could someone perhaps direct me to an old thread about plants to get to attract BF's to my yard? I already have coneflowers, wisteria and trumpet vines which I see them on. Last Fall I bought a Honeysuckle Vine and Wegelia (sp?) "Wine and Roses" for the Hummers but I don't know if their also good for BF. Cost is a definite issue for me so wouldn't want real expensive items. Thank you very much. :-)
Plant Question
I just put in a weeping butterfly bush, but can't give results as it only has four leaves so far. I'm hoping it will work. I think anything colorful will attract them, basically -- I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Do you know your county extension agent? (I'm assuming the Garden State has those!)
I was considering a butterfly bush but I heard their very invasive. If thats true then I'd rather stay away from them because with 4 Trumpet Vines and a Wisteria I think I've hit my limit for invasives, lol.
County Extension Agent, I'm not familiar with that but are you saying that they would know the answer?
I do have a lot of color in the yard with way too many daylilies (an old hobby) and a number of rosebushes etc. Thanks
They might -- down here it's the county agricultural guy who can tell you what to do about weed problems and whether it's safe to grow rice yet another year, etc. Don't know what they'd call it up there.
I've been a bit reluctant to put in the butterfly bush for the same reason, but went ahead anyway. It was too pretty to resist. It might depend on the zone. Have you checked in the plant files?
Butterfly bushes will not be invasive if you cut them back within six inches of the ground each year in late winter, early spring.
Thanks for that! It's taking such a long time to get going now I'll hate to, but then again I don't want them everywhere. Plus, it was dormant when I got it in the mail.
You have to dead head the flowers or they will go to seed. Now is a a good time (around here anyway) to prune Buddleias just above the lowest two pairs of shoots on each stem.
As I have a total of 7 leaves so far, I think I'll skip the pruning. But I'll be sure and deadhead when necessary.
I tried using the search feature but it took so long it timed out.
Nevermind, just found an old book I had. Thanks
This message was edited Apr 4, 2007 3:01 PM
Pell, this one has some good ideas to start from seed.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/667302/
I have had 5 butterfly bushes for 5 years and have never had trouble with them being invasive. I've never even heard of them being called invasive. They are the center part of my big flower beds. I cut them back every other year at the recommendation of the Master Gardener who runs the city gardens--and he never mentioned that either--but I don't always get them deadheaded as quickly as I should. Who knew?
I have two in my yard that I prune whenever the branches get too long and start shading all the other plants. I've also never noticed them being invasive. I do mulch heavily in my garden beds, so maybe that helps keep seedlings from growing. But I've never known them to be invasive either.
Not all Buddleias are invasive, the B. davidii is the one with the reputation for invasiveness. Many plants are spread by birds and the invasive issues occur somewhere else. I don't know if birds spread these plants or not. But if you prune spent blossoms on Buddleias, two buds appear where you dead-headed. Some of them will do this right up to first frost.
Okay Thanks Everyone!