PLANTS TO ATTRACT BUTTERFLIESUse plants to attract butterflies and to feed the caterpillars To attract the greatest number of butterflies and have them as residents in your yard all season, you'll need to have plants that meet the needs of all life stages of the butterfly. Did you know that most adult butterflies live only 10-20 days? Some, don't even live that long,; no longer than three or four days, while others, like over wintering monarchs, can live six months.
Create the Ideal Garden EnvironmentIn order to make a yard more attractive to butterflies, you need to provide the proper environment.Most important are: food plants used by the various caterpillars, food sources used by the adult butterflies, and physical environment.
Most butterflies have specific host plants on which they develop. A host plant is a plant that the butterfly can lay her eggs on , and then supply food to the caterpillar. For example, caterpillars of the monarch butterfly develop only on milkweed, while the black swallowtail feeds only on parsley, dill and closely related plants. When females find the proper host plant, they may lay eggs on it. Providing the necessary food plants for the developing caterpillars also allows production of a "native" population that can be observed in all stages of development. Most species, however, fly away as adult butterflies. Plants to attract butterflies can be divided into two categories; those that attract adults, and those that are food plants for butterfly larvae (Caterpillars). To attract more than just the passing wanderer, plant a good mix from both categories. By providing plants that the caterpillars can feed on, you'll surely have butterflies come and stay. Please remember that caterpillars will eat the foliage of these plants; so,you must accept the damage and forgo the insecticides. Many caterpillars are picky eaters. They rely on only one or two species of plants. The caterpillar of the giant swallowtail butterfly in the northeast and Mid-Atlantic States feed on just two native plant foods - Northern prickly ash and hop tree. Others, such as the red-spotted purple, will feed on a variety of deciduous trees, which also should be considered for plants to attract butterflies. What do catepillars eat?To raise butterflies in your garden you need to grow the plants that caterpillars eat.There are certain plants that will attract caterpillars. If you want to observe the caterpillars transformation into a butterfly, plant these and let them come. Milkweeds Passion Vine Hollyhocks Wild Senna Pipevines Carrot Fennel Parsley Dill Wild Lilacs Wild Plums and Cherries Buckthorns Ashes Hop-tree Aspens and Willows Poplars Sage Poplar Wild Lime Citrus Carrot Fennel
Butterflies Need Nectar-rich Flowers.Adult butterflies searching for nectar are attracted to:Short flower tubes allow the butterflies to reach the nectar. Nectar-producing plants should be grown in open, sunny areas, as adults of most species rarely feed on plants in the shade. Food for adult butterflies usually consists of sweet liquids, such as nectar from flowers that provide energy. Some flowers contain more nectar, and are more attractive to butterflies. Often, specific types of flowers and flower colors also are more attractive. Some species feed on honeydew (produced by aphids), plant sap, rotting fruit and even bird dung. To attract butterflies to your garden, you need the flowers that produce the nectar that butterflies drink. Nectar is the butterflys main source of food. More Plants to attract butterflies As for adult butterflies, they'll stay in your garden for longer periods of time if you have plants for them to lay their eggs on. Here are some nectar bearing plants that usually attract adult butterflies: 
Bright colors seem to attract more butterflies, but more importantly, large swaths of color will make it easier for them to find your garden. ( Cottage gardens are great for butterfly attracting!) Butterfly BushYou may want to include the aptly-named butterfly bush in your butterfly garden.These large shrubs (up to 10 feet) are also magnet plants to attract butterflies. In mild-winter areas, its delicate silver foliage adds a beautiful contrast to evergreens.
You should cut back to about 18" in late winter because it will grow quickly! In a small garden stick to one of the dwarf varieties which reach about five feet (Nanho blue, petite indigo and others). Buddleia is now considered an invasive plant in coastal areas. Watch for and remove seedlings. If you live near a natural area, plant an alternative such as native wild lilac. Deadheading spent blossoms on Buddleia and flowers like marigold will encourage new blooms and prolong your garden's butterfly appeal. Plants to Attract Butterflies -Additional Tips If you can spare a corner out of the garden limelight, encourage dandelions and clover; these humble plants ( or common weeds) are attractive nectar sources. It's a hard concept I know! Don't tidy up too much, either.
A few rotten apples left under your tree might entice a Red Admiral to stop and eat. This striking butterfly supplements its diet with amino acids from decaying fruit. A brush or wood pile can give shelter to over wintering adults and larvae of several species. I've had great luck with a simple zinnias, cosmos, and a continer herb garden to attract butterflies. You can too. Use these plants to attract butterflies listed here and you'll have hours of entertainment with binoculars or just observing from your deck. Related Articles Create Your Own Butterfly Gardens
From Plants to Attract Butterflies to Homepage
|
