Some say the butterfly bush is beautiful, but in Oregon, it’s also invasive. On January 1, 2010, the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s ban on butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii and Buddleja varabilis) as a noxious weed took effect. This means the plant no longer can be transported, sold, offered for sale, grown or propagated in Oregon, nor can it be imported into the state. However, sterile cultivars of Buddleja davidii are exempt from the ban, as are interspecific hybrids. The catch is, they must be approved by ODA first. Toward that end, ODA now has announced a process for approving these cultivars and hybrids. For the detailed steps involved, read this document (PDF). If you have questions, drop a line to Gary McAninch at the ODA Plant Division, gmcaninch@oda.state.or.us. (Butterfly bush photo by Wikipedia user Lupin.)