BUTTERFLY GARDENS

There is nothing more enjoyable than a yard full of butterflies on a warm summer day! There are a few things to keep in mind to have a successful butterfly garden. A warm sunny location, a variety of host plants, as well as a variety of nectar plants. Pesticide use is also not recommended.

Growing plants to serve as food for caterpillars is probably the most important aspect of a real butterfly garden. I know the idea of this is not overly appealing but if you want butterflies, then there have to be host plants for their caterpillars. If not in your garden, then at least near-by. Monarch butterflies renowned for their beauty and prodigious seasonal migrations, feed exclusively on milkweeds. Here is a listing of some plants that can serve as host plants and the type of butterflys they will attract.

PLANTS OR TREES - HOST PLANTS                             BUTTERFLIES ATTRACTED

Milkweed                                                                                Monarch

Violets, Pansy                                                                       Fritillaries

Pearly Everlasting                                                                American Painted Lady

Willows, Elm, Paper Birch                                                  Mourning cloaks

Apple, Ash, Aspen, Birch, Green Ash, Poplar, Willow   Tiger Swallowtail

Blueberry, Dogwood, Sumac, Viburnum                         Spring Azure                                                Oaks, Sumacs                                                                      Red-Banded Hairstreak
Asters                                                                                     Pearl Cresent
Sedum, Snapdragon, Verbena                                          Buckeye

Willows, Poplars                                                                   Viceroy

Blueberries                                                                             Pink Edged Sulphur

 

Here is a list of the nectar plants that different butterflies like to feed on.

 

NECTAR PLANTS

Perennials - 

Black Eyed Susan, Purple coneflower,Thistle, Coreopsis, Milkweed, Phlox, Shasta Daisy, Sedum, Liatris

Annuals -

Heliotrope, Zinnia, Aster, Sunflower, Verbena, Salvia, Lantana, Cosmos, Zinnias, Ageratum, Nasturtium, Morning Glory, Marigolds.and Cosmos.

 

Shrubs & Trees -

Lilac, Honeysuckle, Apple Trees, Blueberry

MONARCH ON PURPLE CONEFLOWER

MONARCH BUTTERFLY ON LANTANA

TIGER SWALLOWTAIL ON LILAC