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Posted by Buddleia net (U14873950) on Monday, 30th May 2011
A. When it's a Buddleia of course!
I am thinking of Buddleia davidii (intoduced 1896), not the more historical Buddleia globosa (intoduced 1774)
The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board has this to say on B. davidii:
"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."
I like Buddleia very much (along with butterflies) and I have to say I don't consider B.davidii a weed, prolific yes. I read an article earlier this month that said "In the UK Half of our butterflies are under threat of extinction, and more than 70% are in decline"
On the other hand the "GB non-native species secretariat" website lists it as invasive and says that B.davidii has caused ₤960,00 of damage to buildings in the UK.
So, should B.davidii be rightly condemned as a weed and eradicated from the British landscape, or should we give the butterflies a hand?
What is your opinion?
Mr.Buddleia
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The definition of Weeds, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
There will be plenty of plants that we grow in gardens which might be considered "weeds" in their own country.
My husband has a long-standing interest in botany, He`s one of those strange guys who stands at hedgerows peering at things through a magnifying glass.
I`ve never heard him refer to any of our native plants as a "weed".
I completely agree with your point of view As_Iff. Regards, Flower
I know this is pinched from someone but I don't know who-" a weed is a plant in the wrong place"
I think one of the worst things is buddleia growing on roofs of buildings- looks awful and what damage it must do.
Geoff
The OED definition of a weed is: "a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants."
So, as wild B.davidii is not "in competition with cultivated plants" it is not a weed! So leave 'em alone and let the butterflies enjoy 'em.
(except where the cause structural damage)
Mr.Buddleia
Invasive weed
It's not just butterflies who enjoy buddleia, my plants are currently covered in bees supping on the nectar!
Personally, I think buddlea is a very useful plant.
Buddlea was one of the star performers on the recent Â鶹Éç4 Botany program "The Wonder of Weeds" ( ).
The reason why this plant is dreaded by the authorities is the amount of damage that it causes to buildings, and particularly the large amount of money that is spent by British Rail in clearing buddlea from railway tracks.
I've been around for a long time and the only properties damaged by Buddleja are derelict. i've never seen it growing out of anywhere that's still inhabited.
the butterflies/bees are in trouble and need all the help that we can offer, i've planted two new varieties and can't wait for next summer !!!
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