G1183

Butterfly Gardening

This NebGuide discusses butterflies and their relatives and the plants that will help attract them to a garden.

Stephen M. Spomer, Research Technologist, Entomology
Kim Todd, Extension Horticulturist


Butterflies can be found throughout Nebraska, from the coniferous forests of the Pine Ridge, through the grasslands of the Sandhills, to the deciduous forests along the Missouri River. Like bird watching or observing wildflowers, watching butterflies is a popular and enjoyable pastime. Although many natural butterfly habitats have been lost to urbanization and agricultural development, conservation of these beautiful insects has been incorporated into numerous programs and projects. Many individuals also are taking a personal interest in attracting these fascinating insects to their gardens. By choosing the right plants, you can attract many different butterflies, moths, and skippers, adding an ever-changing mural of color and motion to your landscape.

Butterflies, moths, and skippers belong to the insect order Lepidoptera, with moths comprising the largest percentage. Skippers are most often mistaken for butterflies, but they differ somewhat (Table I). All three groups act as pollinators for specific plants and are a food source for many animals. For this publication, reference to butterflies also includes moths and skippers.

 

Table I. Characteristics of butterflies, skippers, and moths.
Butterflies Skippers Moths
Fly in daytime Fly in daytime Fly mostly at night
Clubbed antennae Clubbed antennae with a feathery hook on end Unclubbed, usually feathery, antennae
Usually brightly colored Drab to colorful (often brown to orange) Drab to colorful
Usually smooth Usually smooth bodied
Often powerful fliers		 Usually hairy bodied

 

Butterfly Biology and Life Cycle

Butterflies go through a four-stage development process known as metamorphosis. The four stages are egg, larva or caterpillar, pupa or chrysalis, and adult. Understanding a butterfly’s life cycle can make watching them more enjoyable, and can help people understand the principles of attracting butterflies to their gardens. Depending on the species, the life cycle of the insect may take anywhere from about one month to an entire year to complete. Nebraska butterflies may have one, two, or more generations (broods) per year. Usually, the most common butterflies have multiple broods and provide a continuous array of color and activity in a butterfly garden throughout the season.

Life Cycle

Egg — Eggs are laid singly or in clusters, usually on the host plant, but sometimes in organic matter, weeds, or soil. Eggs hatch in a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the species. However, some copper and hairstreak butterflies spend the winter in the egg stage. The larva eats its way out of the egg and is soon ready to feast on its host plant. Fritillaries are one exception, spending the winter as newly-hatched unfed larvae.

Larva — The larva continues to eat many times its own weight until its cuticle (skin) stretches to capacity. A hormone in the larva signals when it is time to shed its skin, or molt. Butterfly caterpillars go through three to five molts and are therefore found in various sizes before they are ready to pupate.

Pupa or Chrysalis — When the larva is full grown, another hormone signals when it is time to form a chrysalis, or pupate. The chrysalis is the resting stage between larva and adult. When it is time to pupate, the larva may spin a small silken mat to use to hang itself upside-down from a branch or leaf, or attach itself to the host plant by a silken girdle. In contrast to butterflies, many moths spin a silken cocoon.

Adult — Several conditions may influence the development of the chrysalis, including humidity, temperature, and/or day length. Emergence time usually coincides with host plant availability. Adults spend their entire life mating, laying eggs, and seeking nectar. Adult butterflies live from about a week to several months. A few spend the winter in outbuildings or logs, but most die before winter.

Commonly Attracted Butterflies in Nebraska

In Nebraska, some of the most easily attracted butterflies, moths, and skippers include:

Alfalfa Butterfly – Colias eurytheme Boisduval
American Painted Lady – Vanessa virginiensis (Drury)
Cabbage Butterfly – Pieris rapae (L.)
Checkered Skipper – Pyrgus communis (Grote)
Clouded Sulphur – Colias philodice Godart
Eastern Black Swallowtail – Papilio polyxenes asterius Stoll
Eastern Tailed Blue – Cupido comyntas (Godart)
Gorgone Checkerspot – Chlosyne gorgone carlota (Reakirt)
Gray Hairstreak – Strymon melinus Hübner
Great Spangled Fritillary – Speyeria cybele (Fabricius)
Monarch – Danaus plexippus (L.)
Painted Lady – Vanessa cardui (L.)
Pearl Crescent – Phyciodes tharos (Drury)
Red Admiral – Vanessa atalanta (L.)
Sachem – Atalopedes campestris (Boisduval)
Snowberry Clearwing – Hemaris diffinis (Boisduval)
Spring Azure – Celastrina neglecta (W. H. Edwards)
Tawny-edged Skipper – Polites themistocles (Latreille)
Tiger Swallowtail – Papilio glaucus (L.)
Variegated Fritillary – Euptoieta claudia (Cramer)
White-lined Sphinx – Hyles lineata (Fabricius)

Attracting Butterflies

Although proper plant selection and placement are essential to attract butterflies, the location and characteristics of the site are important, as are additional features like rocks. Butterflies like sunny sites and areas sheltered from high winds. Warm, sheltered areas are most needed in the spring and fall. Provide rocks or bricks for pupation sites and for basking and warming in the sun. A water source for puddling and drinking is important. Butterflies require food plants for their larval stages and nectar plants for their adult stage. Some larvae feed on specific host plants, while others will feed on a variety of plants. Including both larval host plants and adult nectar plants in your butterfly garden will increase the chances of attracting a greater number and variety of butterflies. Listed in Table II are plants that can be used in Nebraska landscapes to attract butterflies.

Types of Plants that Attract Butterflies

Plants that attract butterflies are classified as either a food source, a nectar source, or both. Some of these plants will also provide protection from predators, shelter, a site to lay eggs, and a place for butterflies to attach themselves while pupating. It can be relatively simple to attract butterflies to a garden that suits your landscape tastes and needs. Many native or introduced annuals, perennials, herbs, vines, grasses, shrubs, and trees provide nectar flowers or meet other butterfly requirements. The time of flowering, duration of bloom, flower color, and plant size are all important considerations when selecting plants to attract butterflies. Include an assortment of plants for season-long bloom. If you want to attract a greater variety of butterflies, you will need to add plants that are not only a good source of nectar but a good source of food as well.

Many plants that attract butterflies, especially trees and shrubs, may already be present in a specific area. Although weed species are generally not welcome in a garden, allowing them to grow under supervision may be an option, since many of these plants support butterflies. Be cautious about using plants like blue flax (Linum perenne) and gray-head prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) that readily reseed and may dominate garden sites.

Plants with clusters of flowers or large blooms provide easier landing sites for butterflies than plants with small, single flowers. Planting masses of single kinds of plants usually will attract more butterflies since there is more nectar available at a single stop. Select plants adapted to your site and location, and develop a plan for the butterfly garden. Several books containing sample butterfly garden plans are available in bookstores.

It is difficult to have a successful butterfly garden in locations where insecticides are used. Insecticides can kill butterflies as well as other useful insects. Plants that attract butterflies also may attract other forms of wildlife, including bees and wasps. Most bees and wasps, busy collecting pollen and nectar, are not likely to sting if left undisturbed. However, if you are allergic to bee and wasp stings, be careful! Even biological controls, such as BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), will kill butterfly larvae. When treating for insect pests, always consider nonchemical methods of pest control before turning to pesticides.

Annuals — Annuals are plants that grow, flower, and complete their life cycle in one season. They come in a wide range of growth habits, flower types, and colors. Removal of old flowers (deadheading) may be necessary to encourage the continuous bloom that provides butterflies with an extended good source of nectar.

Biennials — Biennials form roots and rosettes of foliage the first year, flower and set seed the second year, and then die. They often persist in the garden for many years if some of the seedlings are allowed to remain.

Herbs — Herbs have many uses, among them flavoring food. Butterflies are attracted to many of the herbs we use for flavoring, and use them as a nectar source as well as a larval food source.

Shrubs — Most woody shrubs have a limited number of days of flower duration. However, they can provide good, short-term nectar sources as well as long-term butterfly habitats.

Trees — Trees can serve vital functions as larval food hosts, nectar sources, and protection. Some trees that are good for attracting butterflies include birch (Betula spp.), cherry (Prunus spp.), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), elm (Ulmus spp.), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), linden/basswood (Tilia spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), plum (Prunus spp.), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), and willow (Salix spp.).

Herbaceous Perennials — Herbaceous perennial plants are nonwoody plants that live and flower for more than two years. Some herbaceous perennials that are beneficial to butterflies, like alfalfa and clover, may not be suitable for a small garden, but they may be encouraged to grow in surrounding areas.

Grasses — Grasses can be native or introduced, annuals or perennials. Their height can vary from a few inches to several feet. They can provide larval food and protection for butterflies.

Resources

Allen, T.J., J.P. Brock, and J. Glassberg. 2005. Caterpillars in the Field and Garden: A Field Guide to the Butterfly Caterpillars of North America. Oxford University Press, New York.

Brock, J.P. and K. Kaufman. 2003. Butterflies of North America. Houghton Mifflin, New York.

Lindgren, D.T. and K. Todd. 2004. Wildflowers for the Home Landscape: Perennials for Sunny Sites. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension NebGuide G1074.

Steinegger, D., J. Fech, D. Lindgren, and A. Streich. 2000. Ornamental Grasses in Nebraska Landscape. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension NebGuide G1320.

Todd, K. and D.T. Lindgren. 2003. Perennials in Water-Wise Gardens. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension NebGuide G1240.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to acknowledge the work of Dale Lindgren, Extension Horticulturist Emeritus, who was a coauthor of the previous edition of this publication.


Table II. Plants to attract butterflies.
Common Name Scientific Name Select
Varieties 		Bloom
Color 		Ht./
Spread 		Bloom
Time 		Remarks
Larval
Source
Nectar
Source
Perennials Attractive to Butterflies
Alfalfa Medicago sativa many purple 16”-20” May-Sept Old plants lodge
X
X
Allium, Ornamental Allium senescens ‘Glaucum’ lavender 12”-12” July-Sept Long bloom season
 
X
Aster, Dwarf Aster x dumosus ‘Woods Dwarfs’ pink, purple, white 48”-36” Sept-Oct Dwarf, very little seed production
X
X
Aster, Fendler’s Aster fendleri ‘My Antonia’ purple, white 6”-12” July-Sept Native, good drainage needed
X
X
Aster, New England Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’ pink, purple, white 36”-48” Sept-Oct Taller aster, late
X
X
Bee Balm Monarda spp. ‘Jacob Kline’ pink-lavender, red 18”-18” June-Aug Colonizes
 
X
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ yellow-orange 24”-24” July-Sept Seeds itself, treat as an annual
 
X
Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’ yellow-orange 18”-24” July-Sept Seeds itself
 
X
Blanket Flower Gaillardia aristata ‘Baby Cole’, ‘Goblin’, ‘Burgunder’ yellow-red 18”-24” June-Sept Seeds itself, can be short lived
 
X
Catmint Nepeta spp. ‘Fassen’s’, ‘Six Hills Hybrids’, ‘Walker’s Low’ lavender 18”-18” May-Oct Several species
 
X
Chrysanthemum Dendranthema spp. many assorted varies Aug-Oct Hardiness varies
 
X
Coneflower, Narrowleaf Echinacea angustifolia species type pink 36”-24” June-Aug Native
X
X
Coneflower, Purple Echinacea purpurea ‘Magus’, ‘Cygnet White’ purple, pink, white 36”-24” June-July Native
X
X
Coneflower, Pale Echinacea pallida species type lavender 30”-24” June-July Native, most drought tolerant of the species
X
X
Coreopsis, Threadleaf Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’, ‘Zagreb’ yellow 18”-24” June-Sept Long bloom season, drought tolerant
 
X
Daylily Hemerocallis spp. many assorted, warm colors varies June-Sept Variable
 
X
Gayfeather, Dotted Liatris punctata species type rose-purple 20”-24” Sept Native
 
X
Gayfeather, Tall Liatris pycnostachya ‘Eureka’ rose-purple 60”-24” June-Aug Native
 
X
Gayfeather, Spike Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’, ‘Floristan White’ rose-purple, white   June-July Cut flower
 
X
Goldenrod species Solidago spp. ‘Fireworks’, ‘Golden Baby’ yellow varies July-Sept Cut back for rebloom, good dried
 
X
Goldenrod, Stiff Solidago rigida species type yellow 30”-10” July-Aug Native
 
X
Hollyhock Alcea rosea many assorted 72”-12” May-Aug Rust susceptible, allow to reseed
X
X
Ironweed Vernonia fasciculata species type red-violet 48”-24” July-Sept Prefers moist soils
 
X
Joe-Pye Weed Eupatorium purpureum ‘Gateway’ purple 72”-48” July-Sept Better in eastern Nebraska, takes wet sites
 
X
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia ‘Provence’, ‘Hidcote’ lavender-blue 18”-18” June-July Semi-woody
X
X
Leadplant Amorpha canescens species type lavender-blue 36”-36” June-July Native, semi-woody, drought tolerant
 
X
Milkweed, Butterfly Asclepias tuberosa species type, ‘Hello Yellow’ orange, red, yellow 24”-24” June-July Native, difficult to transplant
X
X
Milkweed, Common Asclepias speciosa species type pink 28”-15” May-Aug Common native milkweed, can be weedy
X
X
Milkweed, Swamp Asclepias incarnata species type, ‘Ice Ballet’ pink, white 48”-15” July-Aug Best in moist sites
X
X
Pasqueflower Pulsatilla spp. ‘Rubra’, ‘Heiler Hybrids’ purple, white, red 12”-12” Apr-May Native, very early
 
X
Phlox, Prairie Phlox pilosa ‘Eco Happy Traveler’ rose-pink 15”-15” May-June Native, fragrant
 
X
Pinks, Cheddar Dianthus gratianopolitanus ‘Spotti’, ‘Dottie’, ‘Tiny Rubies’ white, rose-pink, red 8”-8” May-June Fragrant
 
X
Pitcher Sage Salvia azurea ‘Nekan’ blue, pink, white 24”-48” Aug-Sept Native
 
X
Prairie Clover, Purple Dalea purpureum ‘Sandhills Satin’ pink 15”-24” July-Aug Sandy sites
X
X
Prairie Clover, Silky Dalea villosa ‘Sandhills Satin’ pink 15”-24” July-Aug Sandy sites
X
X
Primrose, Missouri Oenothera macrocarpa ‘Commanche Campfire’ yellow 15”-30” July-Aug Sandy sites
X
X
Pussytoes Antennaria spp. species type white, pink 2”-12” May-June Tiny groundcover for dry sites
X
X
Sea Lavender Limonium latifolium species type blue, white 24”-24” July-Aug  
X
 
Sedum Low varieties Sedum spp. ‘Gold Carpet’, ‘Dragon’s Blood’ yellow, red, pink 6”-18” June-July Very adaptable
 
X
Sedum Tall varieties Sedum spp. ‘Indian Chief’, ‘Autumn Fire’ pink, bronze 24”-18” Aug-Sept Cut or dried flowers
 
X
Shasta Daisy Leucanthemum x ‘Alaska’, ‘Becky’, ‘Crazy Daisy’ white 24”-36” June-July Excellent cut flower
 
X
Sweet Clover Melitotus spp. species type yellow, white 30”-30” May-Oct Consumed by domestic livestock
X
X
White Clover Trifolrum repens several white 15”-15” May-Oct Can be a lawn weed
X
X
Yarrow spp. Achillea millefolium ‘Paprika’, ‘Terra Cotta’ assorted 24”-36” June-July Prefers low fertility
 
X
             
 
 
Annuals Attractive to Butterflies
Ageratum Ageratum x hybrida ‘Blue Horizon’, ‘Blue Pacific’ blue, lavender, white varies June-Oct Trim off old flowers for repeat bloom
 
X
Broccoli Brassica spp. ‘Packman’ green 18”-12” June Replant for fall crop
X
 
China Aster Callistephus chinensis many assorted 12”-12” June-Sept Replant for fall crop
 
X
Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Sensation’, ‘Shellleaf’ white, pink, crimson 60”-18” June-Oct Avoid overwatering
 
X
Flowering Cabbage Brassica spp. ‘Color Up’ reds, pinks, greens 18”-12” Aug-Oct Best in cool weather
X
 
Flowering Tobacco Nicotiana alata many white, pink, red 36”-12” June-Sept Straight species is fragrant, white
 
X
Globe Candytuft Iberis umbellata many assorted 12”-6” June-Oct Fragrant
 
X
Gomphrena Gomphrena globosa ‘Strawberry Fields’ assorted 30”-18” June-Sept Excellent for drying, clover-like flowers
 
X
Marigold, African Tagetes erecta many yellow, orange 40”-18” May-Oct Natural nematode control
 
X
Marigold, French Tagetes patula many yellow, orange, bronze 12”-6” May-Oct Border plant
 
X
Nasturtium Tropaoleum majus many yellow, orange, red 12”-8” May-Oct Tolerates poor soil
 
X
Petunia Petunia spp. many assorted 18”-12” May-Oct Provides season-long color
 
X
Salvia Salvia spp. many red, blue 12”-15” May-Oct Upright plants, also attract hummingbirds
 
X
Scabiosa Scabiosa atropurpurea several blue, pink 20”-15” May-Oct Good for drying
 
X
Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus many assorted varies April-Oct Cutting flower, can overwinter
X
X
Statice Limonium sinuatum ‘Blue River’, ‘Forever Gold’ white, lavender, yellow 18”-12” July-Oct Good cutting flower or dried
 
X
Sunflower Helianthus annuus many yellow, orange, bronze varies July-Sept Bird seed, cut flower
X
X
Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima ‘Carpet of Snow’, ‘Easter Basket’ white, lavender 4”-6” May-Oct Low trailing plant, fragrant
 
X
Sweet William Dianthus barbatus many assorted 12”-12” June-Sept Annual or biennial
 
X
Verbena Verbena x hybrida many blue, white, pink 12” June-Sept Best in cool weather, spreading
 
X
Zinnia Zinnia angustifolia ‘Crystal White’, others white, gold, yellow 12-16” June-Oct Hot, dry areas
 
X
Zinnia Zinnia elegans many assorted varies June-Oct Cut flowers, powdery mildew
 
X
 
Herbs Attractive to Butterflies
Catnip Nepeta cataria species type blue, purple 12”-18” June-Aug Many good cultivars, needs dry sites
 
X
Chives Allium schoenoprasum species type pink 12”-12” May Perennial, reseeds
 
X
Dill Anethum graveolens ‘Elegans’ yellow 36”-24” July-Sept Annual, reseeds
X
X
Mint Menthaspp. many types pink, white 24”-24” May-Sept Many types
 
X
Oregano Origanum vulgare species type pink, white 24”-24” July-Sept Many uses
 
X
Parsley Petroselinum crispum varies greenish 24”-18” June-Oct Annual or biennial, several types
X
X
Sweet Fennel Foeniculum vulgare species type yellow 48”-18” July-Sept Licorice flavored
X
X
             
Biennials Attractive to Butterflies
Dame’s Rocket Hesperis matronalis species type lavender 36”-18” May-June Naturalizes, somewhat invasive
 
X
Queen Anne’s Lace Daucus carota species type white 72”-48” June-July Also known as wild carrot
X
X
Standing Cypress Ipomopsis rubra species type red 30”-12” July-Oct Fine texture
 
X
 
Shrubs Attractive to Butterflies
Butterfly Bush Buddleia davidii many purple, blue, white, pink 48”-48” July-Oct Cut to ground in spring
 
X
Cinquefoil Potentilla spp. many white, orange, yellow 36”-36” June-frost Prune in late winter
 
X
Chokecherry Prunus virginiana ‘Shubert’ white 15’-10’ May Fruit attractive to birds
X
X
Cotoneaster Cotoneaster spp. many white, pink varies May-June Attractive fruit
 
X
Lilac Syringa spp. many white, pink, violet 8’-12’ May Fragrant, susceptible to scale and borers
X
X
Mockorange Philadelphus spp. ‘Minnesota Snowflake’ white 5/10’- 5/10’ May-June Very fragrant
 
X
Privet Ligustrum spp. many white 10’-6’ May-June Often used as a hedge
 
X
Spirea Spiraea spp. many white, pink 3/8’-10’ May-June ‘Vanhoutte’ is a popular type
 
X
Viburnum Viburnum spp. many white, pink varies May-June Some fragrant, good fruit
 
X
Wild Plum Prunus americana species type white 15’-15’ May Good for eating
X
X

 

This publication has been peer reviewed.

Visit the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension Publications website for more publications.
Index: Lawn & Garden
Miscellaneous
2006, Revised November 2012