One of my favorite things about the weather turning warmer is watching butterflies dancing around the plant material in our landscape. Being mindful of what plant material is planted to attract butterflies is an interest of mine and seeing how easy and fun it is to do, I am sure that you will pull your sleeves up and join me.
There are over 160 species of butterflies in Georgia and most landscapes can lure 30+ species without trying. While most landscapes will attract butterflies, there are a few extra details you can add to attract more species and/or specific species of butterflies. Generally, all butterflies need temperatures between 60° to 108° so place plant material that will attract butterflies in a warm, sunny area. Butterflies need protection from the wind, a place to land but most importantly, they need nectar-rich plants and host plants.
One of the plants that butterflies need are native, nectar-rich plants to feed on. Nectar-rich plants produce a sweet liquid that is high in energy and nutrients. The nectar-rich plant material you plant can determine what species of butterfly visit your landscape. For example:
Marigolds with their beautiful yellow and orange blooms are the perfect size for the American Painted Lady to settle on. The Marigold Butterfly, of course, prefers Marigolds.
Zinnias with large yellow centers attract butterflies. The Royal Purple variety of Zinnias attracts Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Painted Ladies, and Fritillaries butterflies and the Star White variety attracts Blues, Sulphurs, Hairstreaks, and Skipper butterflies.
Lantana’s sweet nectar smell and colorful blooms attract many species of butterflies, for example, Hairstreaks, Swallowtails, Monarchs, Queens, Red Admirals and Painted Ladies just to name a few.
Salvia has small brightly colored blooms. These nectar-rich flowers attract a wide variety of butterfly species like Swallowtails, Sulphurs, Skippers, and Brushfoots. The big, flowered varieties of Salvias, Saucy Red and Saucy Wine, attract Monarchs and Gulf Fritillaries.
The host plant is another plant that butterflies are attracted to. The job of a host plant is to host the butterfly caterpillar while it is growing. The butterfly larvae will grow under the plant’s leaves and then feed on the plant when hatched. Like the nectar-rich plant material, host plant material will attract certain species of butterflies.
Milkweed plants are an important host plant to the Monarch butterflies because this is the only plant that the monarch caterpillars can eat.
The Purple Coneflower hosts the Silvery Checkerspot, the Painted Lady and the Southern Skipperling each feed on different parts of the plant.
Snapdragons are host plants for the Common Buckeye. This butterfly caterpillar feeds on the leaves and flowers as it develops.
A landscape that provides both host plant material and nectar plant material will allow for many months of butterfly observation. While you are watching butterflies, take note of what plant material attracts what butterflies so you can make sure that next spring your landscape contains the plant material that will bring all the butterflies to your yard!
Happy Planting!
By Misty Johns, Coastal Greenery, Inc.
