"How to keep butterfly bush from spreading noxiously" - updates please - Ask Extension
Your article "How to keep butterfly bush from spreading noxiously" is dated January 2005. It mentions studies in progress at that time. Can you please...
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"How to keep butterfly bush from spreading noxiously" - updates please #720329
Asked September 02, 2020, 4:36 PM EDT
Your article "How to keep butterfly bush from spreading noxiously" is dated January 2005. It mentions studies in progress at that time. Can you please give an update?
Also, can you provide information on how the seeds are spread? I spend a lot of time visiting local natural areas and I have never noticed butterfly bushes growing there. I question the actual threat by having them in my yard in the middle of suburban Corvallis. Thank you!
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for reaching out! I agree this article is definitely in need of an update-so much has happened since 2005!
In summary, butterfly bush (Buddleja) is considered a class B noxious weed and was banned for sale in Oregon due to the high fertility of the available cultivars. Basically the plants produced large amounts of seeds which grew into weedy plants that had increased potential to spread and affect our natural areas (including riparian areas where weeds are very difficult to manage). Back in 2009, the Oregon Department of Agriculture revisited this sale ban and passed regulations that allowed certain cultivars for sale again. These allowed cultivars have low fertility/are sterile (don't produce viable seed) and so are at much decreased less risk of becoming weedy. You can see the full list of allowed cultivars on the ODA's website (scroll towards the bottom of the page): https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/NurseryChristmasTree/Pages/ButterflyBush.aspx
About seed spread: Butterfly bush produces a lot of seeds, they have little wings on the seeds and so can pulled along by the wind, and the plants mature very quickly and start to spread their own seeds. The seeds can also be moved throughout natural areas getting tracked in soil clinging to boots, vehicles or equipment. Or floating downstream in streams and rivers. All that you have probably every wanted to know (and more!) about the invasiveness of butterfly bush can be found on this international Invasive Species Compendium page: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/10314#tosummaryOfInvasiveness
OSU has on-going trials working to help get new sterile butterfly bush cultivars approved for sale in Oregon. I actually had the opportunity to visit the research trial in Corvallis last week and interview the researchers. We're working on a video update right now and I will send you the link when it's finalized.
Hope this helps answer your questions!
In summary, butterfly bush (Buddleja) is considered a class B noxious weed and was banned for sale in Oregon due to the high fertility of the available cultivars. Basically the plants produced large amounts of seeds which grew into weedy plants that had increased potential to spread and affect our natural areas (including riparian areas where weeds are very difficult to manage). Back in 2009, the Oregon Department of Agriculture revisited this sale ban and passed regulations that allowed certain cultivars for sale again. These allowed cultivars have low fertility/are sterile (don't produce viable seed) and so are at much decreased less risk of becoming weedy. You can see the full list of allowed cultivars on the ODA's website (scroll towards the bottom of the page): https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/programs/NurseryChristmasTree/Pages/ButterflyBush.aspx
About seed spread: Butterfly bush produces a lot of seeds, they have little wings on the seeds and so can pulled along by the wind, and the plants mature very quickly and start to spread their own seeds. The seeds can also be moved throughout natural areas getting tracked in soil clinging to boots, vehicles or equipment. Or floating downstream in streams and rivers. All that you have probably every wanted to know (and more!) about the invasiveness of butterfly bush can be found on this international Invasive Species Compendium page: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/10314#tosummaryOfInvasiveness
OSU has on-going trials working to help get new sterile butterfly bush cultivars approved for sale in Oregon. I actually had the opportunity to visit the research trial in Corvallis last week and interview the researchers. We're working on a video update right now and I will send you the link when it's finalized.
Hope this helps answer your questions!
Thank you for your timely reply, Brooke!! (Sorry; I somehow missed it in my email until now.) I look forward to seeing the video once it is released.
