Re: Buddleia davidii cultivars Banned in OR

**N* S* <T*@PlantSoup.Com>**

Tim brings up a very important point.  One of the issues that I have  
yet to see addressed adequately in the horticulture trade is the  
fertility of plants that are problematic in some regions.  So, for  
example, Tim says that Blue Chip sets very few viable seeds  but what  
does that mean?  Does it mean that in a growing situation, the plant  
doesn't set as many seeds as growers would like to make the plant  
commercially viable or does it mean that it sets so few viable seeds  
that it won't be a problem in areas where Buddleia spread by seed and  
become invasive in sensitive habitats?

This issue has been much discussed here in Southern California as it  
relates to several plants - the poster child being pampass grass.   
Pampass is extremely invasive in Southern California, but there are  
several variegated varieties that the nurseries commonly refer to as  
"sterile."  When you do any probing, what they actually mean is that  
they don't find seedlings in the nursery.  That is very different from  
being sterile.

What I'd like to see is some real research done to determine how  
viable the the seeds of Buddleia varieties are.  Then, we will have  
the actual data to decide whether or not those varieties are "eco- 
friendly."  After all, beautiful, non-problematic plants would be the  
best situation for all of us.

Nan

> Some GWA members received trial plants of Blue Chip this spring. I  
> encourage
> you to check your plant this autumn and note the lack of seed  
> capsules. Its
> failure to set seed is very evident especially if you compare it  
> with a
> davidii cultivar such as Black Knight, etc.. Dr Werner feels it is an
> eco-friendly solution for certain regions of the country, such as  
> Oregon,
> where Buddleia davidii has escaped.

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