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Butterfly Garden
Natural meadows have almost disappeared from our cities and suburbs. Gone too are the butterflies, birds and other wildlife that depend on this natural habitat. Luckily, butterflies are easily enticed back to the city. It is simple to plant a garden that provides caterpillars with plants to feed on, and butterflies with flowers from which they can sip nectar. Creating and restoring butterfly habitats will also provide you and your family with a unique opportunity to observe butterflies close to home. Chances are some of the plants that already grow in your garden or back yard can be used, and with a bit of planning additional butterfly friendly plants can be added in the spring.
 Sunshine: Butterflies love the sun. A site with good exposure is more likely to attract butterflies and keep them around. A few large stones to capture heat and provide basking spots are also a good addition.
Shelter from the wind: Butterflies rarely fly during strong winds and it will be difficult for them to feed on all the great food plants you provide if they are exposed to wind. It may be helpful to establish your garden in the shelter of hedges or shrubs, some of which may be good larval food plants.
Water and minerals: Butterflies also need to drink, which is how they get minerals. They often drink from muddy puddles. A patch damp soil will easily satisfy this requirement. Perhaps you can create a small mud puddle in your sandbox?
A pesticide free environment: Although some people may find chemical pesticides an easy way to get rid of unwanted insects and weeds, unfortunately these will also prevent friendly insects like butterflies from establishing themselves in your garden.
To successfully attract butterflies and keep them visiting, you will want to plant a variety of both host and nectar plants. Some plants will serve both purposes. Host plants are species specific - attracting only the butterflies whose caterpillars will eat that type of plant. The lists below are general suggestions, but for more regional-specific information, you may want to contact your local native plant society, agriculture department, extension service, or master gardening program.
Nectar Plants
- Bee Balm, Monarda spp.
- Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia spp.
- Bluebeard, Caryopteris
- Coneflower, Echinacea spp.
- Coreopsis, Coreopsis spp.
- Dogbane, Apocynum spp.
- Goldenrod, Solidage spp.
- Ironweed, Vernonia spp.
- Joe Pye weed, Eupatorium fistulosum
- Lantana, Viburnum spp.
- Marigold, Tagete spp.(single petal varieties)
- Mexican sunflower, Tithonia spp.
- Milkweed, Asclepias spp.
- New England aster, Aster novae-angliae
- Phlox, Phlox spp.
- Pincushion flower, Scabiosa spp.
- Pink live-forever, Sedum alboroseum
- Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus
- Thistles, Centaurea and Cirsium sp.
- Verbena, Verbena spp.
- White alyssum, Alyssum spp.
- Zinnia, Zinnia spp.
Shrubs
- Butterfly bush, Buddleia spp.
- Fruit trees, various
- Lilac, Syringa vulgaris
- Privet, Ligustrum spp.
- Redbud, Cercis canadensis
- Rose of Sharon, Hibisucs syriacus
- Spicebush, Spirea spp.
- Sumacs, Rhus spp.
Host Plants
- Daisies
- Hackberry
- Citrus plants
- Parsley
- Fennel
- Dill
- Rue
- Violets
- Turtlehead, Plantain
- Queen Anne's lace
- Snapdragon
- Hops
- Nettles
- Wild cherry
- Aster
- Passion flower vine
- Milkweed
- Willow
- Clover
- Hollyhock
- Mallow
- Spicebush
- Sassafras
- Pawpaw
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