Attracting Butterfly's

 

  • LOCATE THE GARDEN IN A SUNNY AREA

Butterflies and most butterfly-attracting plants require bright sun.

  • PLANT NECTAR-PRODUCING FLOWERS

Butterflies visit flowers in search of nectar, a sugary fluid, to eat.  Many native butterflies seem to prefer purple, yellow, orange, and red-colored blossoms.  Clusters of short, tubular flowers or flat topped blossoms provide the ideal shapes for butterflies to easily land and feed.

  • SELECT SINGLE FLOWERS RATHER THAN DOUBLE FLOWERS

The nectar of single flowers is more accessible and easier for butterflies to extract than the nectar of double flowers which have more petals per flower.

  • USE LARGE SPLASHES OF COLOR IN YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Butterflies are first attracted to flowers by their color.  Groups of flowers are easier for butterflies to locate than isolated plants.

  • PLAN FOR CONTINUOUS BLOOM THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON

Butterflies are active from early spring until late fall.  Plant a selection of flowers that will provide nectar  throughout the entire growing season (ex. Spring – azaleas, summer – buddleia, fall – chrysanthemums)

  • INCLUDE HOST PLANTS IN THE GARDEN DESIGN

Host plants provide food for caterpillars and lure female butterflies into the garden to lay eggs.

  • INCLUDE DAMP AREAS OR SHALLOW PUDDLES IN THE GARDEN

Some butterflies drink and extract salts from moist soil.  Occasionally large numbers of male butterflies congregate around a moist area to drink, forming a “puddle club”.

  • PLACE FLAT STONES IN THE GARDEN

Butterflies often perch on stones, bare soil or vegetation, to spread their wings and bask in the sun.  Basking raises their body temperature so they are able to fly and remain active.

  • DO NOT USE PESTICIDES IN OR NEAR A BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Most traditional garden pesticides are toxic to butterflies.  Use predatory insects, insecticidal soap, or your hand to remove pests if problems occur.

Perennials

Aster

Baptisia

Butterfly Weed

Catmint

Chives

Cimicifuga

Coneflower

Dictamnus

Hollyhock

Lavender

Lythrum

Pearly Everlasting

Scabiosa

Sedum

Thyme

 

 

Annuals

Ageratum

Alyssum

Borage

Calendula

Cleome

Cosmos

Geranium

Gomphrena

Heliotrope

Hollyhock

Lantana

Marigold

Nasturtium

Parsley

Salvia

Verbena

Zinnia

 

 

 

 

Shrubs                                                    

Buddleia

Caryopteris

Lilac

Wisteria