How to Create a Butterfly Haven

Add a mix of host and nectar plants to provide sustenance and beauty from spring through fall

I will never forget when I became hooked on butterfly stroke . It was 2007 , my first yr working atPowell Gardensin Kingsville , Missouri . Each spring the garden includesmilkweeds(Asclepiasspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–11 ) in the planting batting order for its annualFestival of Butterflies , and by summer the industrial plant are covered withmonarchcaterpillars . That first year , I was totally bewitch by all the caterpillars and butterfly stroke . To this mean solar day , I still get worked up during butterfly stroke time of year and look ahead to seeing how much the Caterpillar have exhaust and grown from one day to the next .

Without a incertitude , butterflies are among some of the most beloved and fascinating animate being on the major planet . At the same time , their ecological role aspollinatorsis critical to the satellite ’s environmental health . With natural home ground disappearing , it has become increasingly more of import to make our garden , curtilage , and locality more butterfly stroke friendly . Doing so is more than just planting pretty flowers . To feed and thrive , butterfly require both host plants that supply foliage for caterpillars and a taking over of ambrosia - rich blooms from spring to fall for the adults .

Host plants that provide caterpillar food and shelter

When it fare to supporting butterflies and attracting them to your 1000 , the most pregnant thing to have is a variety ofhost plants . These are flora that a butterfly stroke will lay eggs on and that thecaterpillarswill eat . Different butterfly species prefer different master of ceremonies works species , so it is important to do your homework and discover out which butterflies know in your area and which host implant they favour . The following are among my favourite choices for host plant life that support butterflies found across much of North America .

Sweet bay magnolias are fragrant semievergreen trees

Magnoliavirginianaand cvs .

Zones:5–10

Size:10 to 35 foot tall and encompassing

status : Full sunshine to partial refinement ; productive , moist , well - drained soil

Native grasp : Eastern United States

Host plant for : Eastern tiger swallowtail

Sweet bay magnolia are like candy for the easterly Panthera tigris swallowtail , a butterfly stroke that likes to fly high and lay eggs at the top of its innkeeper plant ( which can make finding eggs or caterpillars challenging ) . They can develop as semi - evergreen multistemmed Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree but also can be trail as individual - trunked specimens . The glossy foliage is accompanied by fragrant creamy - bloodless bloom of youth in mid to later spring , depending on the timing of the last frost . After inflorescence , red berry appear and attract other wildlife appear for a snack . The straight species can get hold of considerable size over time ; however , many pick senesce to only around 20 feet grandiloquent .

Common milkweed takes hot and dry like a champ

Asclepiassyriaca

Zones:3–9

Size:24 to 48 inches tall and 9 to 12 inches wide

Conditions : Full sun ; fat , well - drained dirt

aboriginal mountain range : Eastern North America

emcee industrial plant for : Monarch

usually find along highways and in fields , this Sonchus oleraceus is a favorite host plant among monarch cat for its great ellipse leaves . The mauve pink flowers are also a valuable nectar generator for adult butterflies in summertime . This perennial spreads quickly by creeping rootstalk and can reach up to 6 feet marvellous in places where it is peculiarly happy . Be sure to put it in a place where it can expand and naturalize . If works depart to look less desirable in summertime , cut them back to encourage a fresh bloom of regrowth — but make indisputable you wait for eggs ( diminutive white ellipse ) and caterpillars first , both of which are found on the new growth on the bottom of the leafage . vernacular milkweed loves it hot and dry but will also happily grow in most filth atmospheric condition .

Spicebush thrives in shadier nooks and crannies

Linderabenzoin

Zones:4–9

Size:8 to 18 feet marvelous and broad

Conditions : Partial shade ; fecund , moist filth

Host industrial plant for : Spicebush swallowtail

It credibly add up as no surprise that spicebush is an of import boniface plant for spicebush swallowtail . you’re able to find the larva by looking for “ leaf tacos . ” These are created from the caterpillar ’s silk , which causes the foliage to turn up over on itself . The cat sit inside their folio tacos when not deplete . This bush can grow up to 18 feet tall and features small chicken flowers in bound , which are comply by little red berries . The leaves of the spice bush are very fragrant when crushed or even brush against . This plant choose afternoon shade . Too much Dominicus will inhibit growth , so keep it out of the line of fire of scorching afternoon light . If you would care to finagle size or encourage more shrubby increase for caterpillars to enjoy , spicebush responds well to periodic coppicing .

Yin®David viburnum feeds both caterpillars and adult butterflies

Viburnumdavidii‘NCVX2 ’

Zones:7–9

Size:2 to 4 human foot tall and 4 foot full

how to create a butterfly garden

Photo: Chicago Botanic Garden

Conditions : Full Sunday to fond shade ; moist , well - drained grunge

aboriginal range : China

server plant for : Hummingbird moth

Sweet bay magnolia

Photo: Howard Rice/gapphotos.com

This genus Viburnum is a handsome shrub that assist as both horde plant and nectar beginning . Although technically not butterfly , those precious fiddling hummingbird moth habituate this plant as a legion . The springiness azure butterfly also feed on the nectar of Viburnum coinage . This specific cultivar of viburnum was bred to be more heat tolerant than other varieties and has attractive foliage all year around . It is a female extract that features clean flowers in fountain , followed by brilliant blue Berry if a manlike vis-a-vis such as Yang ® David viburnum ( V. davidii‘NCVX3 ’ , Zones 7–9 ) is planted nearby . Even though it is only stout in warmer climates , Yin ® David viburnum can be grown in container and contribute deep down for the wintertime in colder regions .

Hop tree is a great choice for understory locations

Ptelea trifoliata

Size:15 to 20 infantry tall and panoptic

Native range : North America

Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly

Photo: Dan van den Broeke/dreamstime.com

legion industrial plant for : jumbo morning coat

This medium - size of it native grows to form a lowly tree or large shrub with attractive , but unpleasant smell , milky green flush in early summer . The bloom are followed by bunch of wafer - similar seedpods . An excellent innkeeper flora for the jumbo swallow-tailed coat ( North America ’s largest butterfly ) and eastern tiger swallowtail , hop Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree typically grow as an understory plant , where it prefers to get soft light below a gamy tree canopy . However , it will produce in full sun if the summer is not brutal . Hop Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree needs to be water during wry summertime to keep its leaf from getting crispy . It is also another good campaigner for coppicing to cut size and to promote bushier growth ( and more leaves for caterpillar to feed on ) .

Blooms that supply butterflies with nectar at different times of the year

full-grown butterflies needflower nectarto sustain themselves in spring , summertime , and fall . While many butterflies thrive and are attempt ambrosia in the warmer calendar month , there are butterflies that do so in the cool months also . So it is imperative to have blooming flora that provide nectar in your garden throughout different clock time of the year .

To indicate that your garden is candid for business , take a commixture of plants that creates a broad welcome mat of color . As butterflies fly from one area to another , they are look for vibrant chromaticity and are less interested about specific plant metal money ( unlike their choice of host plant life ) . Here are some stellar nectar sources that vary in size and that supply butterfly - attracting peak color at unlike time of the horticulture time of year .

‘Totally Tangerine’ geum serves up a supply of spring nectar

Geum‘Totally Tangerine ’

Zones:4–7

Size:14 to 30 inches tall and 18 inches panoptic

Common milkweed

Photo: Chicago Botanic Garden

Native range of mountains : Europe , South America

heyday time : Midspring through summer

Commonly attracts : Common horse chestnut

Monarch butterfly

Photo: Le Thuy Do/dreamstime.com

This beautiful Orange River - blooming perennial is a good choice for a pop of fountain people of colour . The large , sterile flush will keep going until the summer heat energy really set in . proceed this plant deadheaded will stretch the show , encourage even more blooms . ‘ all Tangerine ’ geum remain a squeamish tidy clump all through the grow season , so it is somewhat low maintenance when placed in a smudge with enough sunlight and average soil .

‘Cheyenne Spirit’ coneflower is a good choice for sun and droughty conditions

Echinacea‘Cheyenne Spirit ’

Size:12 to 30 inches marvelous and 12 to 24 inches wide

Bloom time : Summer into fall

Spicebush

Photo: William Cullina

Commonly attracts : Cloudless sulphur

This hybrid coneflower includes yellow , orangish , and crimson bloom that bloom in the first place than most coneflowers . It also stays more compact and holds up better in high wind . It does well in containers too . Like straight coinage of native coneflowers , ‘ Cheyenne Spirit ’ can cover hot sunshine and desiccant atmospheric condition . A very reliable perennial , it ’s also gentle to start up from seed every year — and will bloom a few months after inseminate .

‘Bumblesnow’ meadow salvia dazzles with unique white blooms

Salvianemorosa‘Bumblesnow ’

Zones:4–8

Size:10 to 12 inches improbable and 12 to 14 inches wide

Spicebush swallowtail butterfly

Photo: Stephanie Frey/dreamstime.com

Conditions : Full Dominicus ; median , well - drained soil

aboriginal range : Asia , Europe

flush time : Early summer

Yin David viburnum

Photo: courtesy of Proven Winners Color Choice

ordinarily attracts : Red full admiral

This perennial hayfield salvia is a great ahead of time - bloom choice for butterflies seeking nectar sooner in the gardening season . Its snow - white heyday are a lovely exit from the distinctive purpleness to purplish - blue flower of this species . Once the first blossoms have fleet , give ‘ Bumblesnow ’ a good deadheading ; a new peak of flowers should appear . Its petite size make it a effective front - of - the - border plant . It also work well in container .

‘Baby Joe’ Joe Pye weed is well suited for moist areas

Eutrochium dubium‘Baby Joe ’ ( syn . Eupatoriumdubium‘Baby Joe ’ )

Size:2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet spacious

blossom time : Midsummer to early come

Hummingbird moth

Photo: Steve Byland/dreamstime.com

Commonly attracts : easterly tiger swallow-tailed coat

Joe Pye weeds are butterfly magnet when they are in prime . Native to moist thicket and arenaceous riverside habitats , E. dubiumtypically grow to 6 feet or taller . ‘ Baby Joe ’ , however , only reaches 3 foot tall , which makes it a more appropriate choice for most garden emplacement . Just be sure to put up it with plenteous quad to eventually fan out and naturalise . Also , keep in mind that Joe Pye weed like a beneficial amount of moisture , so it will need to be watered often during ironical spell . You will sleep with the spare effort was well worth it when you see butterflies revel the nectar from this cultivar ’s abundant moody pinkish flower .

The life cycle of a butterfly

The journey from egg to adult butterfly is truly extraordinary . It begin with a female butterfly lay eggs on a specific host plant that she know the cat will use up . Females feel these plant by using tiny sensors on the bottom of their foot , like the taste bud on your tongue . Eggs are typically lay on the newer leaf because it is easier for a small-scale caterpillar to eat fresh , softer leaves . It take an nut 3 to 5 daylight to hatch ; once a caterpillar chaw its way out of the ballock , it eats its shell for its first meal .

After that , all the caterpillar indigence to worry about is use up . Over the next 7 to 10 days , the caterpillar will shed its skin five times . A caterpillar grow like a snake , spill skin to have more room in its body to continue eating . When it acquire close to its fifth molting , it finds a protect place to make its chrysalis . Then it sheds its hide one more time and the chrysalis is shape . After a few hr , the chrysalis hardens a flake and becomes ready to go the transformation inwardly . After another 7 to 10 day , the butterfly is ready to go forth from the chrysalis . Once that happens , the butterfly stroke is quick to course on flower nectar and regain a spouse to start the process all over again .

How they defend against predators

Butterfly larvae ( caterpillars ) are highly vulnerable to predators such as other insects , amphibians , small mammalian , and especially birds . Hiding in industrial plant foliage is one path they forbid themselves from being eaten . Some caterpillars also grow chemical denial so that they taste unpleasant or are even toxic to other wildlife , while others have acquire their appearance to have features like markings that look like large scary eyes ( depart photo ) or to resemble unappetizing raspberry droppings ( proper exposure ) .

Eric Perrette is a lead horticulturist at Powell Gardens in Kingsville , Missouri , and has expertise in native butterflies and their habitats .

Sources

Hop tree

Right: Hop tree seedpods.Photos: (left) Zara Napier/gapphotos.com, (right) millettephotomedia.com

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Alpine Corporation 28 " Tall Outdoor Birdbath with Scrollwork Decoration Yard Statue

Fine horticulture receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site , admit Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising program .

Giant swallowtail butterfly

Photo: Brent Hathaway/dreamstime.com

Lee Valley Large Gardener ’s Wash Basket

Pruning Simplified : A Step - by - Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

Get our previous tips , how - to article , and instructional video broadcast to your inbox .

Totally Tangerine geum

Photo: courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.

Signing you up …

4 Must-Have Butterfly Host Plants to Support Biodiversity

20 Great Plants for Butterflies

How to Build a Successful Butterfly Garden

Growing a Butterfly Garden in Southern California

Join Fine Gardening for a detached absorb unrecorded webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned industrial plant pathologist as well as prof emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical handler …

When I spotted a finical George Sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few calendar month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color form …

When we only prioritize plants we need over plants our landscape needs , each season is fill with a never - ending list of chores : pruning , nip , watering , treating , remediate , and fertilizing , with …

Common buckeye butterfly

Photo: Zepherwind/dreamstime.com

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - fail by a pair …