ARTICLES :: Butterfly Plants Nov 2009

Butterfly Plants

By:  Melinda Sperl

Planting a garden to include butterflies is something that you can easily do.   They are attracted to the nectar of most flowers but some attract them more depending on the species of butterfly.  Monarch Butterfly are finishing their southern migration now but setting up your yard to attract them next year would surely be worth the effort.

Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed (asclepias) and one species of this plant  is Mexican Butterfly Weed (asclepias tuberose).  This also means that the females only lay their eggs on this plant.  One note to the  gardener, these caterpillars eat all the leaves and leave a bare plant so do not plant this plant for its foliage.  This is one plant that you plant strictly for the Monarchs.  One other little tidbit for the butterfly enthusiasts is that the Monarch Butterfly is the State insect of Texas!

Other butterfly attractant plants are Russelia, Cuphea, Esparanza, Salvia, hibiscus, bee balm, marigold and Lantana.  The brighter the plant the better.  Fruit trees are the host plant for the Black Swallowtail so be on the lookout for one ugly caterpillar and no leaves on your fruit trees. 

Remember, caterpillars are the larval stage for butterfly and moths so please refrain from killing them or putting insecticide on the plants that host them.

Happy Gardening!