Butterfly Bush Invasion!

Seems this year that Buddleia has truly become an invasive in my garden. For many years I had about 10 plants and never had a single volunteer. Then about two years ago I started to see isolated ones here and there. Worse last year - especially in a particular area, but in others as well. But this year I am finding so many around my pond. It's where I (unfortunately) have small stones / gravel. They are growing in clumps and masses. I believe the specific culprit there is 'Bicolor', a beautiful plant but don't get it!!

Anyone else having trouble with them? They are on the NY list of invasives. I will definitely consider getting rid of 'Bicolor' altogether. Too bad.

That is interesting.

I have always seen it listed in the various "Invasives" lista but always thought it was hard to grow in our garden--maybe it takes a few years for the genes to give out... thanks for posting your observations.

Our Pink Delight re-seeds like crazy. Most times the seedlings don't make it thru the winter, and if they do, I just pull them out the following spring. We have had hundreds of seedlings, but only ever 4-5 make it thru the winter. I've never grown Bicolor. Adonis Blue, and Guinivere have not seeded for me.

Victor - you have d-mail

Ours, from seed (about 15 years ago - every seed grew!) are horribly invasive. We deleted many but kept one excellent deep purple and a few white to brighten the shady spots. They travel poorly if anyone is thinking of looking for unwanted seedlings!

They grow between bricks and in the most awkward spots. If not caught early enough they're tall by the following spring.

Ours barely overwinter here, but I figured they must be easy to propagate since they are so cheap to buy.

They are cheap. Some of the nicer ones are a bit more but by late August they should all be $5.00 or less.

Until reading another thread, I did not realize there were kinds of buddleia other than 'davidii'--

I think I would like to try the 'alternatfolia (sp?) for a change--

Here is a nice write-up by Claire Dole describing the buddleia and the various cultivars (in context of the Butterfly Garden). I have a difficult time keeping straight what the differences among the buddleia cultivars are when I am choosing one--and I know that there have been quite a few new ones added since the article was written.

http://butterflygardeners.com/buddleia.htm

Very interesting read, tabasco. I found out that mine are 'davidii' and never knew the differences until you posted the link. Thanks.

I knew there were a number - I have a weyeriana, but most of mine are davidii. I may try one of the others.

I planted three "red white and blue" buddleias some years back in hopes that I would attract patriotic butterflies. Well the red was more purplish and the white was creamy, but the butterflies came anyway. Unfortunately so did the volunteers. For three or four years I pulled up buddleia seedlings all over the place until I wised up and ripped out the parent plants. I do sort of miss the flowers, and recently saw an ad for a "Petite Purple" (aka "Petite Plum") miniature which is tempting my will power.

At a previous house I had a B. alternifolia which I liked a lot. It grew like a small tree and the flower display was much different from the B. davidii form. Interesting scent as well.

Victor,
Well send those seedlings this way please! It is not invasive here......heck my winters just about do them in. My big bush that i bought last year just barely made it through the winter. It has some leaves, but only on about a quarter of the entire bush. Like I said.......I almost lost it!! Maybe the bi-color is hardier than the one I have??

Hi, pixie-- if you are having trouble with your Buddliea you may want to look into the pruning routine for them if you haven't already.

Something about taking off the old wood in late winter/early spring. I don't think that is necessary down south, but folks around here find it helpful. Also, some buddleias are a bit more hardy than others and some come into bloom earlier/later.

The buddleias in our garden are not especially vigorous. I did find a couple of volunteer seedlings but I need those to replace my 'goners' from time to time.

I did prune it this spring, but it may not have been enough. Thank you Tabasco...i'll look into it a bit more!

Victor, mine are so small... so they grow in shade?? I have an area that could use some color...

They do best in full sun.

I just bought one of the buddleia alternafolias today. Tiny. I wonder if they grow fast?

Guess what? I think I found my first butterfly bush seedling! :-) I will find a neighbour to give this too.

Pick a neighbor you don't like.

Victor I dead head mine ... no problems with spreading then

How many do you have and how small are they? One of my whites gets over 8 feet tall. I would need a ladder to deadhead - though I don't think that one is a problem. I guess I could try that with Bicolor. I just can't miss a single one!

I cut them down to the ground in early spring... they don't get so huge and the trunk or whatever you call it stays skinnier

this picture was taken last week.... it's a bit bigger now... but no where near 5'

I cut all mine down too. My 8' plus one is over 6 1/2 feet now.

I ran outside and took a few shots

another

the base..... this one is three years old..... maybe next year will be as big as yours... don't know

Wow - you have some size bed to fill!! That should be fun. Which Phlox is that in the first shot? I like the dwarf ones. Thanks.

it's getting there..... that is volcano phlox.... I was reading about it last year.... and finally found some at home depot & one of my local nurseries this year

http://www.tesselaar.com/Display.aspx?Page=Details&ID=162&Region=NA

Thanks Allison - very nice.

and by the way that bed wraps around the whole length of the house & down to the street.... the side of the house is kind of barren just a few things here and there

Nice! Voice of experience - think and think again before planting!! Avoid the temptation to go with all / mostly perennials. Small trees and shrubs can make a bed come alive and will five multi-season interest - especially Winter. Don't forget any fruits you like.

Wow! Victor, You're getting 5 season interest now!!

I include baseball season as a distinct one. Don't you?!

I hope the years not longer though now.

Well if we're warming, shouldn't there be another season added??

My baseball team hasn't been warming up.

Would that be the team that 'plays' in da bronks??

Yeah. Hey, how come no AUP for your thread title?

Maybe when the Pentagon perfects those r/c butterflies.

Well - getting back to seedling butterfly bushes - I have recently received a trade of several brug seeds in exchange for seeds that attract butterflies. She specifically asked for lupins, which I will be able to send to her, but she was very generous, so i thought I would pack up the seedling and whatever seeds I have that she might use. this is for an open area behind her home. sounds like a wildflower meadow.

michaela