I planted several butterfly bushes in my new shrub border, and today a zebra swallowtail is visiting. This type of butterfly is new to me, and I understand that it is unusual to see them in southeast/south central Pennsylvania. Has anyone out there seen them in your garden?
If so, what region?

We have a fair share of these beauties here at our place in NE Indiana. Pawpaw host plants grow in the woods nearby, the gardens here provide nectar, and the lakeshores and swampy places provide mud for drinking. There are no butterfly bushes here, but they don't seem to notice the lack.

Is pawpaw the only host plant for zebra swallowtails? If so, I'm not sure I have one, as far as I know. But then again I wouldn't recognize a pawpaw if I saw one. Perhaps it is growing in the neighbor's woods or in the hedgerow around my field.

From what I've read, yes. There's a wealth of information posted from our ATP members at this link - Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) . In particular, scroll down and read the comments section; they're very helpful.

Asimina species are generally regarded as the only host plant for the Zebra Swallowtail. For most of the East Coast, that means A. triloba which is a large tree. In Florida, we have many other Asimina species which are small shrubs. For more information on the butterfly, including a map of sightings check here: http://www.butterfliesandmoths...

Also, butterfly bush is listed as invasive in Pennsylvania so I would not recommend planting it. Read here for more information: http://www.birdsandblooms.com/...

Thank you very much for the link, Melanie. I am new to the world of butterfly watching/sighting. I registered and posted my sighting and photo at that website and am now waiting for a notice of acceptance or rejection.

My butterfly bushes are all Buzz series plants. They are considerably smaller than most butterfly bushes. Last year I planted two and soon saw an orange monarch. I was so smitten that I planted 22 more this year and love every one. So far, the two that I planted last year have not produced offspring. But I will proceed cautiously based on your warning.

The Buzz series are sterile.

How nice to know that the Buzz series is sterile. My conscience feels a lot better now, so thank you, Ann!

Is the Buzz series a small butterfly bush? I have a place for one that is not the normal size. I wanted one in a sitting area , so they would be close by to watch the activity.

So a reg b. bush has sprouts?

Here Teresa. These are the 2 Buzz series I have:
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja Buzz™ Magenta Improved)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleja Buzz™ Velvet)

Teresa,

Buzz series butterfly bushes grow 3 - 5 ft tall and wide and are bushy. They were bred especially for smaller gardens by Thompson and Morgan in the U.K. I have 'Sky Blue' (which I love) and 'Ivory' (which I don't). 'Sky Blue' attracts enormous numbers of butterflies and is beautiful, with an abundance of flowers all summer until frost and a bushy, well branched growth pattern. 'Ivory' has a dirty white appearance, from my perspective, and the butterflies ignore it.

My only previous experience with butterfly bushes was with the very tall, fast-growing, out-of-control type that took over the gaden. I gave that one away (along with appropriate warnings, of course).

Hmm I don't think they are available here. Wonder where I could order one? I love the improved magenta!

bluegrassmom said:Hmm I don't think they are available here. Wonder where I could order one? I love the improved magenta!

I got mine form Santa Rosa Gardens & couldn't be happier with Santa Rosa!
Santa Rosa Gardens

I ordered mine from Roots & Rhizomes. I have been pleased with the plants (butterfly bushes and Siberian iris) that I have ordered from this company.

www.rootsrhizomes.com