Plants for Butterflies

“A Monarch will respond Brightly colored butterflies can be a welcome addition to your garden, not only when its feet touch a sugar because of the elegance, beauty, and interest they will add, but also because of solution with only one part their usefulness in pollinating flowers . of sugar for 120,400 parts of It’s easy to attract single species by planting any of the trees, shrubs, vines, or water. Its feet are more than perennials from the lists below. Attracting a wide range of species involves di- 2000 times as sensitive as the verse plantings that provide the needs of all life stages of the butterfly. They will human tounge.” (Butterflies need places to lay eggs, food plants for their larvae (caterpillars), places to form & Moths, D. H. Patent) chrysalides and a nectar sources for adults. Trees One way to invite butterflies to your garden is to plant flowering trees. The adults will visit and dine on the nectar, carrying away pollen with them and pol- linating other trees as they go.

Trees Nectar Larval Food Zone Plant Culture Acer (Maple) W. Swallowtail z6 S-PSh/M Monarch Butterfly Alnus spp (Alder) Green Comma (E), W. Swallowtail z3-7 S/M-W Betula spp (Birch) Tiger Swallowtail, Crescents z3-7 S/M-W Colocedrus sp (Incense Cedar) Nelsons Hairstreak (W) z5 S/M-D Butterfly Garden Celtis spp (Hackberry) Emperor (sev.), Snout (E) z4-6 S/M Essentials Cornus spp (Dogwood) Spring Azure z3-7 S-PSh/M Butterflies need sun, water, a Crataegus spp (Hawthorn) x Swallowtail (W) z4-6 S/M food source (nectar), and a Juniperus virginiana (E. Red Cedar) Olive Hairstreak (E) z4 S/M-D/GDr host plant to lay eggs on: Liriodendron (Tulip Tree) Tiger Swallowtail z5 S/M Malus spp (Apple, etc) Tiger Swallowtail, Red Spotted Purple (E), Lorquin’s Admiral z4-5 S/M 1. Nectar Plants: Perennials, (W), Hairstreak, Br. Elfin Trees, Shrubs, Vines & Annuals Populus spp (Aspen, Cottonwood) Swallowtails, Viceroy, Morning Cl, Lorquins’s Admiral (W) z3-4 S/M-W depending on the species you Prunus spp (Cherry, etc.) x Tiger Swallowtail, bl. Emperor (E), White Admiral (E), z4-7 S/M/GDr would like to attract. Lorquin’s Admiral (W) 2. Water: Bird baths, puddles, Quercus spp (Oaks) Calif. Sister, Hairstreak (W), Gr. Blue, Banded Hairstreak (E) z3-7 S/M-D ponds, watergardens, streams. Robinia (Locusts) Silver Skipper z4-6 S/M-D 3. A Host Plant to Lay Eggs: Sassafras albidum Green Swallowtail (E) z5 S/M This will depend on the type of Tilia spp (Linden/Basswood x z3-5 S/M butterfly you are trying to at- Umus spp (Elm) Angelwings, Green Comma (E), Red Adimiral z5-7 S/M tract (i.e. Monarchs/Milkweed, Cooper/Sheep Sorrel, Painted Ladys will lay eggs on verbena, Shrubs & Vines snapdragons, hollyhock and Planting shrubs & vines of varying mature heights will provide many layers of even thistles. food, nectar and habitat. 4. Colorful Plants: Butterflies love purples, pinks, yellows and Shrubs & Vines Nectar Larval Food Zone Plant Culture other pastel colors (they are Amorpha spp (Lead Plant) Doghead Yellow z5 S/M-D less attracted to vibrant colors Aristolochia spp (Pipe vine) Blue Swallowtail (SE) z5-8 S-PSh/M such as reds or blues). Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) x z5 S/M

P.O. Box 1, Williams, OR 97544 Phone: 541-846-7269 Web: www.forestfarm.com Fax: 541-846-6963 E-mail: [email protected] “...butterflies like flow- Shrubs & Vines Nectar Larval Food Zone Plant Culture ers that grow in clusters or Calluna (Summer Heather) x z5 S/M/Acic which have a strong, wide Caryopteris (Blue Mist) x z5 S/M-D lower petal (where they can Ceanothus spp x Cal. tortoise Shell, Hairstreak, Spr. Azure, Br. Elfin, Swallowtail z4-8 S/M-D/GDr land). Butterfly flowers have Cephalanthus o. (Buttonbush) x z4 S/M-W nectar hidden inside of long Choisya (Mexican Orange) x z7 S-PSh/M-D Cistus spp (Rockrose) x z7-78 S/M-D tubes where most insects Clethra spp (Summer Sweet) x-esp Q. M.? (E), Swallowtail (E), R. S. Purple (E) z4 S-PSh/M-W cannot reach it” (Butterflies Erica (Spring Heath) x z6 S/M/Acid & Moths, H. Patent) Hibiscus syiac. (Rose of Sharon) x z5 S/M Humulus lupulus (Hops) x-esp Angelwings, Comma (E), Red Admiral, Comma, Green z3 S/M Hairstreak, Skippers) Lavandula spp (Lavender) x z5-6 S/M-D Leucothoe (Sierra Laurel) x z5 S-PSh/M-W Ligustrum spp (Privet) x-esp Painted Lady, spr. Azure, Red Spotted Purple z4-7 S/M-D Lindera spp (Spicebush) x-esp Green Swallowtail (E), Spring Azure z4-8 S/M Lonicera spp (Honeysuckle) x-eps Checkerspot, Swallowtails z4-7 S-Psh/M Passiflora (Passion Vine) Fritillary (E) z8 S/M Philadelphus spp (Mock Orange) x z3-6 S/M Potentilla x Ediths Cpr, Skipper, Purple Copper z3 S/M Rhamnus spp (Buckthorn) California Tortoise Shell (W), Swallowtail z4-7 S/M-D Rhododendron spp (Azalea) Zephyr, Angelwing, Grey Comma (E) z2-7 S-PSh/M/Acid Ribes spp (Gooseberry, Currant) Grey Comma (E), Coppers, Zephyr Angelwing, Tailed Copper z5-8 S-PSh/M Rosmarinus (Rosemary) x z6-7 S-/M-D/GDr Rubus spp (Berries, Brambles) x z3-9 S-Sh/M-D Salix spp (Willow) Mourning Cloak, Comma (E), Swallowtails, Viceroy, Admirals, z2-7 S/M-W Swallowtail Caterpillar Hairstreaks, Tortoise Shell Spiraea spp (Spirea) x-esp Spring Azure, Red Spotted Purple z4-6 S-PSh/M-W “What the caterpillar calls Syringa (Lilac) x-esp Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch, Tortoise-shell, Swallowtails, z3-5 S/M Painted Lady, Red Spotted Purple the end of the world the Vaccinium (Blueberry) Spring Azure, M. copper z3-7 S-PSh/M-W master calls a butterfly.” Vibunum x Spring Azure z3-8 S-PSh/M ~Richard Bach Vitex (Chaste Tree) x z7 S/M-D Wisteria Skipper z5-6 S/M

Butterflies & Perennials Pesticides? Perennials are pleasing, easy care and reliable plants that come up year after year Insecticides don’t discriminate to offer butterflies food and cover nearly year round. Below is just a sampling of between harmful and beneficial the many perennials that will bring butterflies to your yard. insects. This is because they are Perennials Nectar Larval Food Zone Plant Culture designed to kill any insect that Achillea (Yarrow) x z4 S/M-D comes into contact with them. We would recommend that Athaca (Hollyhock) W. Coast Lady (W) z4 S/M bien. you overlook minor damage Arabis (Rock Cress) Orange Tip, Marble (W) z5 S/M to your plants. If you must use Armeria (Thrift) x z5 S/M something, safe soap insecti- Asarum (Ginger) Blue Swallowtail (E) z-5-7 PSh-Sh/M cide will still kill pests but are Asclepias (Butterfly Flower) x Regal Fritillary (E), Monarch z4 S/M-D not persistent. Aster x Checkerspots, Field Crescent, Painted Lady, West Coast Lady z3-5 S/M Please keep in mind that but- Astilbe x-esp Monarch, Painted Lady z5 PSh/M-W terflies come from caterpillars. Aubrieta x z5 S/M-D Caterpillars eat leaves. If you Baptisia (False Indigo) x z5 S/M/GDr kill all the caterpillars, where Catanche (Cupids Dart) x-esp Viceroy, Painted Lady, Great Spangled Frittilary z5 S/M-D will the butterflies come from? Centaurea (Corn Flower) x z5 S/M-D Centranthus (Jupiter’s Beard) x-esp Buckeye, Painted Lady, Tortoise-shell, G. Frittilary z5 S/M-D

P.O. Box 1, Williams, OR 97544 Phone: 541-846-7269 Web: www.forestfarm.com Fax: 541-846-6963 E-mail: [email protected] Perennials Nectar Larval Food Zone Plant Culture Cheiranthus (Wallflower) x-esp Spring Butterflies z6 S/M Chelone (Obedient Plant) Checkerspot, Baltimore (E) z5 S/M-W Chrysanthemum (Daisy) x-esp Tortoise-shell, Mourning Cloak, Red Admiral z5 S/M Chrysothamnus (Rabbitbrush) Checkerspots (E) z4-5 S/D/GDr Coreopsis x-esp Red Admiral, Viceroy, Hairstreak z5 S/M Crambe x-esp Tortoise-shell, Mourning Cloak, Painted Lady z7 S/M Dianthus (Sweet William, etc.) x-esp Painted Lady, Swallowtails z4-6 S/M Decentra (Bleeding Heart) Clodius parnassian (W) z5-6 PSh-Sh/M Echinacea (Purple Cone Flower) x z5 S/M Echinops (Globe Thistle) x z6 S/M-D/GDr Erigeron (Fleabane Daisy) x Elfin, Blues, Hairstreaks, Coppers z5 S/M Skipper Eriogonum (Sulfur Flower) x Coppers, Hairstreaks, Metalmark (W) z5 S/M-D/GDr Eryngium (Sea Holly) x z6 S/M-D/GDr Eupatorium (Joe-Pye Weed) x-esp Painted Lady, Great Spangled Frittilary, Monarch, Swallowtail z4-6 S/M-W Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) x-esp Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, QM?, Viceroy z5 S/M-D Grasses Ringlets, Skippers, Wood Nymph Helenium (Helens Flower) x z3-6 S/M-W Hemerocallis (Daylily) x z4 S-PSh/M/GDr Hesperis (Sweet Rocket) x-esp Painted Lady, Swallowtails, Monarch z5 S/M Iberis (Candytuft) x z5 S/M-D/GDr Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker) x z5 S/M/GDr Comma Liatris (Blazing Star) x z5 S/M Lupinus (Lupine) x Blues z5 S/M Lysimachia (Gooseneck) x-esp Swallowtails, Viceroy, Monarch z5-6 S-PSh/M-W Lythrum (Loosestrife) x z3 S/M-W Malva (Mallow) x West Coast Lady (W), Hairstreak, Skipper z5 S/M Mimulus (Monkey Flower) Checkerspot (W), Buckeye z5-6 S/M-W Monarda (Bee Balm) x z5 S/M-W Nepeta (Catmint) x z5-6 S/M/GDr Penstemon Buckeye z4-6 S/M-D/GDr Phlox, Summer (P. paniculata) x-esp Tiger Swallowtail, Red Admiral, Viceroy z5 S/M Mourning Cloak Phlox, Spring (P. stolonifera) x-esp Small spring butterflies z6 PSh/M Prunella (Self Heal) x z5 S/M Rudbeckia (Gloriosa Daisy) x-esp Silvery Blue, Monarch, Swallowtails, Viceroy, G. Spangled Frit. z5-6 S/M Salvia (Sage) x-esp Buckey, Red Admiral, Silvery Blue, Monarch, Viceroy, z5-8 S/M-D/GDr Swallowtail, Frittilary Sangusorba (Burnet) x-esp Tortoise-shell, Comma, Skipper, Gr. Hairstreak z4-5 S-PSh/M-D Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower) x z5-6 S/M Sedum x-esp Moss Elfin (W), Buckeye, Parnassian, Comma, M. Tortoise- z4-5 S/M-D shell, Painted Lady, Red Admiral Solidago (Goldenrod) x Regal Frittilary (E) z5 S/M Red Spotted Purple Solidaster x-esp Viceroy, Comma, Painted Lady, Silvery Blue z5 S/M Stachys (Betony) x z4-5 S-PSh/M Thalictrum (Meadow Rue) x-esp Swallowtails z5 PSh/M Verbena x Buckeye z7-8 S/M Viola (Violets) Frittilary, Silverspot z4-8 PSh/M Yucca Giant Skipper z5-7 S/M-D/GDr “Butterflies need an occasional drink of water...In fact, small flocks of swallow- tails, skipper, blues and sulphurs often gather together to form ‘drinking clubs’. But butterflies cannot drink from open water...What is need is a sunny damp spot.... A small plastic basin , buried in the soil and filled with sand or earth, should work” (The Butterfly Garden, J. Sendenko) Viceroy P.O. Box 1, Williams, OR 97544 Phone: 541-846-7269 Web: www.forestfarm.com Fax: 541-846-6963 E-mail: [email protected] Annuals & Weeds Enjoyed by butterflies but, not available at Forestfarm, especially not the weeds!

Annuals & Weeds Nectar Larval Food Zone Plant Culture Ageratum x-esp Milbert’s Tortoise-shell, Red Admiral Carrot Family Swallowtail Cosmos x Dianthus (Pinks, Sweet William) x Spicebush Swallowtail Iberis (Candytuft) x-esp White Admiral, Silvery Blue, Spring Azure Lantana x-esp Gulf Frittilary, Monarch, Spicebush Swallowtail Marigold x-esp Tortoise-shell, West Coast Lady Mustard Family x-esp Sara’s Orange Tip Myosotis (Forget-Me-Not) x Nettle Red Admiral Petunia x Thistle Checkerspot, Painted Lady Thithonia x-esp Monarch Tropaeolum (Nasturtium) x-esp Painted Lady, White Admiral Lobularia (Sweet Alyssum) x-esp Spring Azure, Silvery Blue, Sulphur, Skippers Zinnia x-esp Painted Lady, White Admiral, West Coast Lady Red-banded Hairstreak Did you know? The buckeye is pugnacious, and will drive other insects away from the fine blossoms that it chooses for itself. Belonging mainly to the tropics, it ranges as far north as Massachusetts (& Oregon). Butterflies gain “irridescence from the structure of each individual scale. The surface of each scale consists of laminations which are about one thousandth of a millimeter apart...The surface of the scale is coarsely ridged to enable the color to be seen from Buckeye a wide range of angles.” (Butterfly Magic, K. Sndved & M. Emsley) “The caterpillars of the Tiger Swallowtail have heads which look like those of snakes. The scent organs are forked, and when they are shot out by the caterpillar, as it thrashes back and forth, its snakelike look is really startling.” (American Butterflies, C. Matschat) “The butterfly has huge eyes, bulging globes made up of as many as 36,000 individ- ual tiny units, each with its own input to the brain. With these eyes, a butterfly can see in all directions around it except directly underneath its body. It can see colors as Spring Azure well, including the ultraviolet rays which are invisible to our eyes. Only some but- terflies can see red, however.” (Butterflies & Moths, D. H. Patent) Butterfly Books & Resources Some books to which you might refer for more details include: American Butterflies, by C. Matschat Butterflies & Moths, by D. H. Patent Butterfly Magic, by K. Sndved & M. Emsley Tortoise-shell The Butterfly Garden, by J. Sendenko