Question: I wanted to start a butterfly garden but was told not to plant a plant a butterfly bush. Why?
    Answer: Buddleia, or butterfly bush, can be a nectar source for butterflies, but it has become invasive in some areas of the country and some people fear it will do so here in Georgia. Invasive species are detrimental to the environment (harming butterfly populations in the long run) and to agriculture and forestry, too.
    There are many other plants that are just as good or better for butterfly gardens and that you don't have to worry about becoming invasive. Here are some nectar plants butterflies like: ironweed, butterflyweed (also a larval host plant for monarchs), joe-pye weed, summer phlox, thrift (Phlox subulata), buttonbush, abelia, lilac, liatris, native asters, goldenrod, sunflower, tithonia or Mexican sunflower, purple coneflower and single-flowered zinnias. Plant them instead of buddleia.
    Also, if you want to have a successful butterfly garden, concentrate on larval host plants instead of nectar plants. They are the ones butterflies lay their eggs on and that the caterpillars eat. Most butterflies have specific needs and will only lay eggs on one type or family of plants. Monarchs, for example, only lay their eggs on milkweeds and related plants. Although adult butterflies will visit lots of flowers for nectar, they will pass over a garden overflowing with flowers to get to one of their larval host plants.

    If you have questions about services or products regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, write Arty Schronce (arty.schronce@agr.georgia.gov) or visit the department's website at www.agr.georgia.gov.