The most effective
way to attract butterflies is to provide not only nectar sources
for the adult butterfly but also food plants for caterpillars. Butterfly
larvae (caterpillars) are selective and usually feed on just one
or two types of plants. If you grow these host plants, butterflies
will come to lay their eggs.
Here are some
good butterfly host plants: milkweed (Asclepias),
turtlehead (Chelone lyonii), penstemon, rue (Ruta graveolens),
'Silver Brocade' Artemisia (Artemisia stellariana 'Silver
Brocade'), New England aster, violets, hollyhock, lupine. Black
swallowtail larvae feed on both leaves and flower heads of dill,
parsley, and fennel.
Most adult butterflies
are attracted to gardens with lots of color, especially bright,
vibrant colors with striking contrasts. For nectar plants,
consider lantana, verbena, salvia, and mint. Other favorites are
flowers that have flat surfaces that can be used for landing pads,
such as calendula, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, aster, coreopsis,
Shasta daisy, spreading fleabane and gaillardia. Buddleia
(butterfly bush), phlox, liatris, pentas, coral bells, scabiosa,
Joe Pye weed, and passionvine are other excellent choices.
