Reconsidering Butterfly Bush

I encountered Buddleia sp. (“butterfly bush”) for the first time in the early 2000s when I worked at a retail nursery. The electric blues, charming pink-purples and deep almost-black purples were delightful! These plants brought tropical color, but were cold hardy and grew atop woody stems like lilacs, yet lasted through the warmest months of summer.

When I returned to gardening as my profession nearly 20 years later, I was grateful to be reacquainted with plants that were part of my horticultural past. It was like reuniting with old friends! Nearly all the of the gardens that I cared for in 2021 and 2022 featured butterfly bush as focal plants in ornamental borders.

During those summers, Buddleia’s vigor that was once impressive and appreciated soon fell from my favor. I watched as they traversed properties, 6 to 12 inch tall seedlings appearing spontaneously in other planting areas despite frequent weeding.

At least the butterflies love them. Or so I thought, until a half-hearted internet search connected me with the seemingly well-understood fact that not all nectars are equal, and that which is provided by native plants is far superior.

This past winter, UMASS published a list of invasive species commonly sold in retail nurseries. Yes, Buddleia is on that list.

References & Further Reading

https://gardenforwildlife.com/blogs/learning-center/why-to-avoid-butterfly-bush

https://www.brandywine.org/conservancy/blog/invasive-species-spotlight-truth-about-butterfly-bush

https://wildseedproject.net/2017/03/disconnect-garden-aesthetics-local-ecology/