I think it depends... I transplanted volunteers from my purple butterfly bush, didn't know if it was a hybrid or not, and ended up with white and a lighter purple. So I think if you have a hybrid variety, you're not going to be sure what you get until they bloom!

Leisa

Hmmm. They usually don't. B'fly bushes will cross with any other B'fly bush in the garden or neighborhood. But that's okay as the offspring are always beautiful and scented as nice as their parents. When you bu buddleai seeds they say it's a blend of colors--usually purples. A couple of year's back I grew a packet from Renee's Garden and they all were very close in tone of a lovely lavender purply hue. They're gorgeous and are actually leafing out right now too--I am thoroughly delighted with the results from that pack of seeds.

If you have a butterfly bush in your garden that you love and want to duplicate it's best to take multiple 24" stem cuttings, shove them down into a bucket of damp soil and park it in the shade for a few months, keep an eye on the moisture--if they dry out they're toast. Those that "take" will remain supple, those that croak get crispy-snappy, lol. In Autumn tip the bucket over and remove the soil ball, and pry it apart to separate the rooted cuttings, then plant them wherever you want--clusters of three or four rooted stems will give you a nice fat bush.

T

Here is a link that might be useful: RG Seeds, scroll down a but to find the butterfly bush seeds.

Thanks Trudi! Exactly what I was looking for!! I planted the seeds inside on a growmat/lights deal; nothing sprouted. THEN I read where you should take cuttings-thanks to you I know how now!! Can I take the cuttings now?

I planted a mix and will probably plant them hos. I don't care too much what color they are but prefer not white. I'm not going to try to separate the seedlings and didn't feel like planting those individually plus won't know what color they are until they bloom.

I've seen a beautiful apricot variegated one (flowers not leaves), but think that's available in plants only.

I have winter sown well over 200 Buddleias. I have received seeds of White Profusion, Royal Red, Black Knight, etc. They remind me of Forrest Gump when he said, "Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get."

After four years of sowing named varieties, I have come to accept what comes. They are so beautiful and smell so nice. Here they bloom mid-summer straight into late September and the Butterflies love them.

I've had different shade of purple and last year was surprised by two whites. Just in case you're wondering what I do with all of them, well, they are given to friends and family who all have big properties. This year I have a request for 25 from my parents who are building a massive butterfly garden. They already have 30+ winter sown Buddleias!

sjc48,

For cuttings you need to wait for the plant to be actively growing. When you see new leaves sprout at the very ends of the stems then you can take cuttings--pencil thick or a little thinner would be fine.

T

Thank you everyone! I decided to just buy them in different colors! I appreciate the input!

Last February, I pruned the prior season's growth. I stuck the branches where I wanted them to grow in the garden, pushing about 6-8" and several leaf nodes below ground. They all rooted. I assume for zone 5, now would be a good time to try this method. You want to do it just before new growth begins. Don't expect much for a couple months, then one day, they just take off. If the soil is frozen, use a gallon sized pot.

They are very easy to root. Works just as well with forsythia and rose of sharon.

Token - thanks for the imput. I'm going to try your method, and Trudi's, just to see what happens. I am dying to get out there and start clearing beds and doing some planting!! I've never really had a problem with rose of sharon - it has come up, by itself, everywhere!!

I wish my bushes had bloomed last year... I hope they come back so I can see what color they are.

I sowed several containers this year too...

I wonder if they will grow by the street? I get tons of snow from the snow plows there. (and that has salt in it)

Karen

Karen, I saw them all over Bethany Beach, Delaware. I would think they're salt tolerant. Give it a shot. It can't hurt.

The rose of sharon I cut and stuck this year is a double pink. It doesn't produce seeds, so the only way to get a new one is through cuttings or purchase. I'm cheap. Guess what I did? Yep. I pruned mine last week and stuck about 25 branches all over the yard. At least a few will take as they're showing buds just like the mother plant.

Thanks Token. I will add BB Bush in the salty area. I think they will look so nice there by the street.

Karen