Oh that sock does sound gross.
And I have to agree - butterfly bush (buddleia) is being pushed a bit much considering it has "escaped" cultivation and is looking like an invasive on the rise. But when you think about it for the average home gardener it seems perfect - fast growing, high drought tolerance, consistent, pretty AND long bloom, draws in pollinators, reasonably priced - what more could you want!? In all fairness, it is B. davvidi that is the most problematic (maybe because it is the most widely sold?)
"In the United States, it has established in California, Oregon, and Washington in the West, and about fifteen New England, Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic, southeastern, and Midwestern states (USDA, NRCS, 2006). B. davidii is listed as a Category 3 invasive plant in the New York metropolitan area, meaning that while not invasive in that region, its invasiveness elsewhere warrants close watch (Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, 2006). B. davidii was listed as a Class B Noxious Weed in Oregon in 2004.
In Washington State, Buddleja has escaped cultivation in at least Clallam, Jefferson, Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Clark counties. Hitchcock and Cronquist had noted that B. davidii was a common garden escapee along roadsides and railroad tracks in western Washington in 1973."
I'm not at all surprised by Lorraine Kiefer's comments - she is a HUGE advocate of using native plants and encouraging all sorts of wildlife in the garden. Anyone in the NJ/DE/PA area would find a trip to Triple Oaks Nursery in Franklinville well worth it. Especially for something like their Herb Weekend. You can check them out online at
www.tripleoaks.com too.
Anyway, for folks interested in the entire Courier article, here is a link:
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901170307- Jess