I've never heard that Buddleias are unhealthy for butterflies and hummingbirds...that's a new one for me! As far as the Milkweed; I'm wondering if perhaps you have a type where the seeds require cold stratification prior to being planted. This may be why the seeds didn't germinate. Certain types of Asclepias must be cold stratified (put in the refrigerator, for example, if you sow the seeds yourself) before planting. Others, like A. curassavica, don't! I know there are many people who take cuttings of their Milkweed to transplant. I haven't done this myself since I plant A. curassavica, which grows without the cold stratification. I don't know how well A. curassavica would do in your area but if you want some of the seeds, let me know. A. curassavica is also known as Tropical Milkweed. You can check my blog for some photos.

Here is a link that might be useful: tdogmom's Monarch blog

If you can remember where the milkweeds grew last summer, you can dig up the roots, in early spring, when they are dormant, and transplant successfully. They should sprout when the soil warms up, in May or June. I do not think that you will have much success in transplanting leafed out plants. Butterflies make use of flowering plants for food, but they need specific host plants for egg-laying. Monarch butterflies need milkweed when they are ready to lay eggs, but they nectar on all sorts of flowering plants. In our yard, we have columbine, white clover, raspberry, bee balm, daisy, blazing star, orange milkweed, swamp milkweed, and purple coneflower, in bloom at various times during the summer. I often see monarchs nectaring on the milkweeds and the purple coneflowers, and only occasionaly nectaring on other flowers. Our local bumblebees seem to prefer the raspberry canes. I've never seen any evidence that certain flowering plants are unhealthy, though I've seen plenty of evidence that certain insects prefer certain plants.

'Harmful to butterflies' may come from the contention that native plants are more suitable for native butterflies, as opposed to foreign imports. I've heard some very strong opinions on the subject, and butterfly bush always comes up in those conversations. It is worthy of noting that this plant has escaped into 'native' areas, and when that happens it's possible that it can take over and surpass the native plant population. It is considered a noxious weed in some locations, and needs to be planted with some thought.

What kind or color is your Butterfly Bushes?
and becareful about taking seeds or plants
from the side of a well traveled road as
the county or city sprays chemicals on plants
in their path. I always take mine in areas
that are not around people traffic. Also it
takes a long time for germination of milkweeds.

Carol
zone 5 and brrr freezin right now

Ill have to research which ones grow well here. I've grown lots of humming bird favorites, but have little knowledge of milkweed. Much more complicated than I thought. tdogmom, thank you for your offer. Could I get a small amount to see how it goes? ericwi, I'm not sure if I could find the roots. Do you mean the main roots from the dormant plants? rhizo_1, It could be this landscaper meant the butterfly bush was bad because of being non-native. He gave me a lecture on native and invasive, when I told him how much my hummers love my Mamosa trees. Carol, my butterfly bushes are all purple/lavendar. It is always packed with butterflies, mostly monarchs. Thank you all for all your help.

Elaine

In a state park not too far from me, they are developing a butterfly garden. The use of butterfly bushes was discouraged because they do self seed when they are not dead headed. I have only a couple and manage to keep up with the dead heading for the most part, and I have never had any self seed in my property. Could that possibly be what the landscaper is talking about?

I asked my landscaper friend today. He thought it had something to do with a long term bad effect. Nothing to do with being non-native and invasive. He said he has seen articles published frequently on bird sights. I told him "we" are waiting for proof of this and none of us ever heard of it. He is going to find the info and get back to me. I'll let you know when he does. My butterfly bush may have self-seeded 2 times in my yard. One is right next to my big one. The other is right under my my porch window. I figured a bird carried that seed. I was happy about it. I keep the one under my window well trimmed. If one ever poped up where I didn't want it I would put it where I did. I'm not sure why so many worry about this?

bdriver71, i know a bit about ecology so i can answer your question.

Bad for butteflies
Where
Butterfly bush has been proven to be very weedy in moist mild climates such is Ireland and is beginning to be felt more in the PNW, and possibly along the midatlantic coast. For the rest of the country it is not likely a threat.

Here is proof right here-
http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weed_info/buddleja_davidii.htm

Butterfly bush is a Class B Noxious Weed in Oregon, is one of the top twenty weeds in Great Britain, and is a serious problem in New Zealand.
_________________
Why
1 ) Butterfly bush can be bad for butterflies by displacing the host plant. It forms dense thickets, especially along river banks and river gravel bars, which crowd out native vegetation and may alter soil nutrient concentrations. A dense growth of BB in waste areas can crowd out host plants. Nectar, while important, is not as vital as a larva host plant. If a host plant is out competed by a weedy butterfly bush, it then harms, not helps.

2) Some recent papers in botany journals (not conservation journals) shows that butterfly bush is a superior competitor for pollinators - thatÂs why we grow it right? In wild areas, seed set of native plants was severely reduced as they were out-competed for pollinators. Seed set is a measure of fitness, and lower seed set means serious problems for plants, because the seeds are the next generation.

___________

"Well I have not seen it" - probably not, in most of the country it seems not to be a problem. Deadheading would be all that is needed.

But the just because you have or have not seen it means nothing, scientifically. Ever seen how weight-loss commercials all have people on them claiming "I lost 10 pounds in 6 seconds blah blah blah" Personal testimony is not a substitute for science. Its convincing but it holds no real weight (pardon the pun) and thatÂs why diet infomercials use that because its convincing and they can avoid real things like facts and science. Because yeh, they may have lost 10 pounds in 6 seconds, but is that typical? What if only 1 in 10 had weight loss? Pick 50 people and there are the 5 cases for your infomercial.

My point is, firsthand accounts cannot be assumed to be an accurate portrayal. I know the person across the street has some invasives but I have not seen their offspring around my area. Does that mean they cant and therefore wont? Can that same rule be true? What if the house down the street was spawning the weed in the back alley. I havenÂt seen it. If I donÂt see it its not happening, yes? No.

All that said, I think a deadheading is all that is needed, and I admit I have a bush myself. Its not a problem in my area. It only seems to be a problem in very moist, moderate climates like Ireland, new Zealand and the PNW. Outside of those areas and perhaps the midatlantic, i do not foresee a problem

fledgeling, that was an excellent article. In my area, people pay good money to buy these plants. They are not growing wild, taking over other plants anywhere around here, or any place I've ever visited. My hummers and my Monarch's love them. I do understand now that in other areas this has become an ecology problem. Glad to hear you have one, and feel that deadheading is the answer, and forsee no problems. Thanks so much for all the info. Now I understand where everyone is coming from about this. We have some vines here are very invasive. They wrap around other plants and will strangle them. When we moved here we had several plants/bushes that were tightly wrapped with these and were almost dead. Maybe a few leaves at the top. One was a 10' pine tree,pulled way over by them. I ripped off the vines and dug the roots out, and couldn't believe that they lived, and are thriving now. Thanks again for your info.

fledgling, I thought too that the article was very interesting and have the same situation here as bdriver. I also live in PA and haven't had a problem with butterfly bushes coming up on their own. I deadhead though. I haven't heard anyone else say that there's a problem with butterfly bushes becoming invasive around here but I guess it's kind of like you say, if I haven't heard of it doesn't necessarily mean that it absolutely doesn't exist. I do know of two plants that I've noticed over the last several years that are getting a little out of hand and I'm going to have to start attacking them. One is Japanese honeysuckle, and the other is the wild roses. I had planned on planting more butterfly bushes here, but now I'm thinking about that. I do already have a few so it's not like I won't have any here at all. Maybe more wouldn't be better.

I'd read a similar article quite some time ago with regards to the Buddleia being invasive in Oregon. I hadn't read it being harmful, however, to any specific fauna...just that it can take over. I have yet to see it become invasive myself either but that doesn't mean it can't. Most of my butterfly plants are in pots (ALL of my Buddleia are) and I deadhead them before they go to seed so perhaps that is why I don't see them taking over. I have tried to start them from seed but haven't had much success (although I do admit to not trying very hard either as I really don't have much space).

bdriver did you ever hear back from your landscaper? i would ne interested in his report.

i think it was on npr recently that i heard buddleia plants for butterflies are just like giving them a diet of dessert, not the good nutrients that they really need.

min