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Gardening for Butterflies, Birds and Bees forum: Reference thread for planting for butterflies

 
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Image sheryl
Nov 27, 2011 9:57 AM CST

sheryl is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: Southwest Gardening Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Forum moderator Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Please post both larval and adult attracting plants, preferably with the type of BF that it attracts. We will update and edit the first post to contain the list, so feel free to chatter and question in your posts.

Want to attract a specific type of Butterfly?

Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon) Sweet Fennel, Lomatium, Citrus
Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) - Parsley, Green Fennel, Dill and Rue.
Buckeye (Junonia coenia) - Plantain, Snapdragon, Toadflax, and false loosestrifes
Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae) -Cabbage, Radish, Mustard, Peppergrass, and related plants
Checkered skipper (Pyrgus communis) Mallow, hollyhock
Checkered white (Pontia protodice) Mustard family
Clouded sulfur (Colias philodice) Alfalfa, clover
Common Hairstreak (Hypolycaena philippus) Mallow family , hollyhock , rose and marsh mallows
Common Snout Butterfly (Libytheana bachmanii or carinenta) Hackberry
Dogface Butterfly ((Zerene eurydice) Lead plant, false indigo, prairie clover
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) Sycamore, willow
Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) Rue, Prickly Ash, Hop Tree, Seville Orange Citrus tree
Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae) Agrimonia eupatoria (also for the snout moth Endotricha flammealis)
Monarch (Danaus plexippus) Milkweed sp.
Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) Willow, aspen, cottonwood, elm
Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae) C nninquefoils
Orange sulfur (Colias eurytheme) Alfalfa, vetch, pea
Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) Thistle, hollyhock, sunflower
Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) Redberry, California Coffeeberry, California Lilac, Holly-leafed Cherry
Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) Nettle, elm, hackberry, hops, false nettles
Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Nettle, false nettle, pellitory
Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax )Wild cherry, oak, poplar, hawthorn, willow
Silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) Wild licorice, locust
Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) Spice bush, sassafrass
Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) Tree sap, Rotting fruit, Dung, Carrion
Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) Green ash, chokecherry
Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) Passifloras, pansy
Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus) Willow, poplar, apple
Weidemeyer's Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii) Willow, aspen, cottonwood
Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) Willow, cottonwood, chokecherry
Wood nymph (Cercyonis pegala) Grasses: beard grasses, Poverty Oatgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Schizachyrium sp. – bluestems, Purple top
Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus) Pawpaw tree (Younger plants preferred)

Larval or Host Plants (meaning plants that BFs lay eggs on and that feed the catepillars until time to mature into a BF - sometimes the only plant a particular BF will use)
- Aristolochia sp.(Pipevine) for Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly
- Asclepias sp. (Milkweed, butterfly weed, etc.) for Monarch & Queens
- Asimina species (Pawpaws) host for the Zebra Swallowtail
- Lindera benzoin (Spicebush) for spicebush swallowtail Papilio troilus, and the promethea silkmoth, Callosamia promethea
- Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip tree or yellow poplar) Tiger Swallowtails
- Magnolia virginiana, (Sweet Bay Magnolias) Tiger Swallowtails
- Passiflora sp. (Passionflower) for Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charitronius,) Julia Heliconius (Dryas iulia,) Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae,) and Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
- Ptelea trifoliata (Hop Tree/Wafer Ash) for Giant Swallowtails and Tiger Swallowtails
- Senna (or Cassia) alata for Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, and Orange-barred Sulphur.


Adult Plants (meaning nectar sources for the BFs)
- Asclepias sp. (Milkweed, butterfly weed, etc.) for Swallowtails, Monarchs, American Ladies, Hairstreaks and more.
- Aster sp.
- Buddleja sp (Butterfly bush)
- Echinacea sp. (Coneflower)
- Conoclinium or Eupatorium greggii (West Texas Mist Flower) for Queen Butterfly (Danaus gillipus) or Monarchs
- Lantana sp.
- Verbena sp.
- Zinnia sp.

Thanks to contributers: kqrna, SongofJoy, stephGtx, LindaTX8, Shelia FW, Sandnsea2.
In the end, only kindness matters.

[Last edited Dec 8, 2011 9:50 PM CST]
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Image kqcrna
Nov 28, 2011 6:40 AM CST
Name: Karen
Cincinnati, Oh (Zone 6a)
Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cut Flowers Winter Sowing Charter ATP Member Seed Starter
Echinacea Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Ohio Region: United States of America Butterflies Hummingbirder
Host plant: Asclepias sp.- Monarch butterflies

Karen
Image sheryl
Nov 28, 2011 7:37 AM CST

sheryl is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: Southwest Gardening Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Forum moderator Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Thanks, Karen - of course!
In the end, only kindness matters.

SongofJoy
Nov 28, 2011 7:49 AM CST
We have Liriodendron/Tulip Trees all over the place here. It reseeds like crazy. And we also have gobs of Tiger Swallowtails to go with them. Big Grin Ditto on Lindera and Spicebush bf. Big Grin

If you have remarked errors in me, your superior wisdom must pardon them. Who errs not while perambulating the domain of nature? Who can observe everything with accuracy? Correct me as a friend, and I as a friend will requite with kindness. ~Linnaeus
Image sheryl
Nov 28, 2011 8:10 AM CST

sheryl is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: Southwest Gardening Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Forum moderator Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
I can hardly wait until my Tuliptree is big enough to bloom!!!
In the end, only kindness matters.

Image StephGTx
Nov 28, 2011 8:04 PM CST
Name: Stephanie Gonzales
Texas (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Permaculture Dog Lover Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Region: Texas Gardeners Seed Starter Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Butterflies Plant and/or Seed Trader
Don't forget the Passifloras for the Gulf Fritilary's Lovey dubby

Oh .. and the west Tx mist flower for nectar (butterfly magnet!!!)
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
[Last edited Nov 28, 2011 8:05 PM CST]
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Image sheryl
Nov 28, 2011 8:16 PM CST

sheryl is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: Southwest Gardening Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Forum moderator Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Good ones, Steph!

Mist flower... mist flower.... mist flower?

Ah, got it - westtexasmist flower!
In the end, only kindness matters.

[Last edited Nov 28, 2011 8:18 PM CST]
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Image StephGTx
Nov 28, 2011 8:27 PM CST
Name: Stephanie Gonzales
Texas (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Permaculture Dog Lover Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Region: Texas Gardeners Seed Starter Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Butterflies Plant and/or Seed Trader
How about Dill and Bronze Fennel, can't forget those either, host plants.
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
Image sheryl
Nov 28, 2011 8:28 PM CST

sheryl is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: Southwest Gardening Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Forum moderator Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Que bueno, gracias!
In the end, only kindness matters.

Image LindaTX8
Nov 28, 2011 9:16 PM CST
Name: Linda
Medina Co., TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member Herbs Salvias Native Plants and Wildflowers Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Xeriscape
Forum moderator Purslane Hummingbirder Cat Lover Butterflies Birds
Other host plants for Black Swallowtail cats...parsley, Green Fennel and Rue. Rue is also used by the Giant Swallowtail cats.
I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.
E. B. White
Image sheryl
Nov 28, 2011 9:28 PM CST

sheryl is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: Southwest Gardening Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Forum moderator Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Thank you, ma'am!
In the end, only kindness matters.

Image kqcrna
Nov 29, 2011 7:19 PM CST
Name: Karen
Cincinnati, Oh (Zone 6a)
Forum moderator I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Cut Flowers Winter Sowing Charter ATP Member Seed Starter
Echinacea Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: Ohio Region: United States of America Butterflies Hummingbirder
More host plants, lots of 'em.
http://butterflybushes.com/butterfly_host_plants.htm

Karen
Image sheryl
Nov 29, 2011 7:49 PM CST

sheryl is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: Southwest Gardening Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Forum moderator Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Thanks, Karen!
In the end, only kindness matters.

Image Sheila_FW
Nov 30, 2011 9:37 AM CST

Sheila_FW is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheila F
Fort Worth TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator Tip Photographer Garden Tipster, Level 2 I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Texas Gardeners
Butterflies Garden Art Ponds Dog Lover Hummingbirder Birds
That is a retail site, not really a list from what I am seeing.
SongofJoy
Nov 30, 2011 9:43 AM CST
I agree

If you have remarked errors in me, your superior wisdom must pardon them. Who errs not while perambulating the domain of nature? Who can observe everything with accuracy? Correct me as a friend, and I as a friend will requite with kindness. ~Linnaeus
Image Sheila_FW
Nov 30, 2011 9:48 AM CST

Sheila_FW is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheila F
Fort Worth TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator Tip Photographer Garden Tipster, Level 2 I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Texas Gardeners
Butterflies Garden Art Ponds Dog Lover Hummingbirder Birds
To avoid confusion, we may need to think short and sweet list such as these, and not get too extensive. This is from http://www.monarchwatch.org

http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/bfly.htm by butterfly
http://www.monarchwatch.org/garden/plant.htm by plant
Image LindaTX8
Nov 30, 2011 11:14 AM CST
Name: Linda
Medina Co., TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member Herbs Salvias Native Plants and Wildflowers Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Xeriscape
Forum moderator Purslane Hummingbirder Cat Lover Butterflies Birds
That's a very limited list, but I guess many such lists are. I was looking for the American Lady and didn't see it mentioned. Since ALs were the only butterfly cats I successfully raised this fall, it came to mind. Thank goodness for Sweet Everlasting...I'm so lucky to have it.
I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority.
E. B. White
Image sheryl
Nov 30, 2011 8:47 PM CST

sheryl is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheryl
Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Charter ATP Member Region: Southwest Gardening Keeps Horses Dog Lover Cat Lover Permaculture
Butterflies Birds Cottage Gardener Forum moderator Herbs I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
I'm not sure by what criterion we would pick those to include or exclude -?
In the end, only kindness matters.

SongofJoy
Dec 1, 2011 2:44 AM CST
I think we're including all butterflies, aren't we? LIsting the names and then the nectar and host sources? I know for American Ladies that includes Everlastings, Pussytoes and Cudweeds. If I'm wrong, Sheila, jump in here and correct me.

If you have remarked errors in me, your superior wisdom must pardon them. Who errs not while perambulating the domain of nature? Who can observe everything with accuracy? Correct me as a friend, and I as a friend will requite with kindness. ~Linnaeus
Image Sheila_FW
Dec 1, 2011 3:21 AM CST

Sheila_FW is a moderator in this forum.

Name: Sheila F
Fort Worth TX (Zone 8a)
Charter ATP Member Forum moderator Tip Photographer Garden Tipster, Level 2 I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Texas Gardeners
Butterflies Garden Art Ponds Dog Lover Hummingbirder Birds
Yes, we should try to list all of the plants commonly used by the bf.

In looking back at the great work that is coming together at the top, and I think the last section (by butterfly) will be the most helpful in my opinion. After all we are wanting to attract butterflies specific to our areas to lay eggs and return. I think that section should be primary and get developed first.
Perhaps even making it the only list for now at least. What do you think..Tee, Sheryl?

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