Nectar Plant(s) for the Great Swallowtail Butterfly

Lantana, Japanese honeysuckle, milkweed, lilac, goldenrod, and azalea are the favorite nectar
plants of the Great Swallowtail Butterfly.

Nectar Plants for the Monarch Butterfly

The Monarch Butterfly chooses milkweed, butterfly bush, goldenrod, thistle, ironweed, and
mints for nectar

Nectar Plants that Attract Butterflies

Different species of butterflies prefer different flowers. The following list attracts most butterflies:
Aster, Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly Weed, Coreopsis, Daylillies, Goldenrod, Hibiscus, Lavender, Lilac, Marigold, Orange-eye Butterfly Bush, Oxeye Daisies,
Phlox, Pink Azalea, Purple Coneflower, Redbud, Rosemary, Verbena.

Nectar plant(s) for the Buckeye Butterfly

Nectar plants for the Buckeye Butterfly include aster, milkweed ,chickory, and coreopsis.

Nectar Plant(s) for the Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly

The Great Spangled Fritillary chooses ironweed, milkweed, black-eyed susan, and verbena for
it's nectar.

Host Plant(s) for the Monarch Butterfly

The Monarch Butterfly prefers the milkweed for a host plant.

Host Plant(s) for the Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly

The Great Spangled Fritillary prefers the violet for a host plant.

Hairy Caterpillars

If you are doing a great job of providing host plants (the plant the female butterfly elects to lay her egggs on), you will have to deal with caterpillars. The host plant is selected for it´s food supply for the caterpillar. And some caterpillars are ravenous eaters. In other words, "whoops, there goes another plant." If they are eating excessive foliage, try moving them to the backside of the plant or to another plant (same type of course) that is less noticeable in your garden.
CAUTION: Just to be safe, wear gloves when dealing with hairy caterpillars. Some of them sting!

Host Plant for the Buckeye Butterfly

The host plant (also known the larval plant) for the Buckeye Butterfly is the snapdragon.

Host/larval Plants for the Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Mourning Cloak butterflies like willow, elm, poplar, aspen, birch, and hackberry for host/larval
plants

Nectar Plants for the Mourning Cloak Butterfly

Good nectar for the Mourning Cloak Butterfly is rotting fruit & sap, butterfly bush, milkweed,
and the shasta daisy.

Nectar plant(s) for the Comma Butterfly

For nectar, the Comma Butterfly likes rotting fruit & sap, butterfly bush, and dandelion.

Host plant(s) for the Comma Butterfly

The host plant(s) (also known as the larval food plant) for the Comma Butterfly is nettle and elm.

What is a Host Plant?

Different species of female butterflies have their own preferences for places to lay their eggs and to provide food for the caterpillars. They search for what is called a host plant (a plant to lay their eggs on). Providing a variety of host plants will attract a wider range of butterflies. Do a little research to find which species are in your area and the host plants they prefer.

Host Plant(s) for the Great Swallowtail Butterfly

The Great Swallowtail Butterfly lays it's eggs on citrus trees and prickly ash for larval food.

Help Save the Monarch!

Help save the Monarch! The poulation of Monarch butterflies are dwindeling. Be sure to include milkweed in your butterfly garden. Milkweed is the host
plant of choice for the Monarch. You may want to check to see if you live along their annual trek from Mexico (and back) each year.

Serve Up a Buffet

Planting different flowers that provide for a "buffet" of nectar for various species will attract a wider range of butterflies. Plant in groups. Butterflies see masses better than a single plant. Doing so adds
more color in your garden in the way of butterflies and flowers.

The Painted Lady´s Choice of Host Plants

The Painted Lady prefers daisies and hollyhock for host/larval plants.