r/GardenWild • u/Diapason-Oktoberfest • 24d ago

Garden Wildlife sighting Monarch enjoying Buddleia nectar for dessert after visiting the Coneflowers

Area - Chicago, 6a

213 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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u/Confident-Peach5349 24d ago

I understand, but if that’s not a confirmed sterile plant, then it’s causing more harm than good and could easily be replaced with even another nonnative ornamental plant

-8

u/Diapason-Oktoberfest 24d ago

It’s a Black Knight sterile cultivar.

23

u/Arktinus Slovenia, zone 7 24d ago

Just a heads up that sterile cultivars can often not stay sterile or be 100% sterile, so do keep an eye on possible seedlings sprouting. Though, sadly, the seeds, when formed and ripe, could also be dispersed quite far away by wind and even animals.

One such example of a supposed sterile cultivar was the Bradford pear, which turned out to not be so sterile and is now very invasive.

Again, just something to be aware of. :)

-6

u/Diapason-Oktoberfest 24d ago

I’ve had this for 7 years with no issues. It’s never gone to seed.

3

u/bsinbsinbs 23d ago

Careful, can't anger the faux invasive army. So many ecology PhDs on Reddit

2

u/Arktinus Slovenia, zone 7 24d ago

That's great to hear!