I need a few ideas, of small (not trees,shrubs,bushes..etc) plants for a butterfly/moth garden.. Both nectar sources and host plants will be excepted (If you can, more host plants!)
That can grow, and attract butterflies/moths in Detroit,MI,USA.
So far , I already have :
Nectar sources :
Bee balm,Lupine,Milkweed
Host plants :
Parsley (Black swallowtail)
False nettle (Eastern comma,Question mark)
Milkweed (Monarch)
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
That can grow, and attract butterflies/moths in Detroit,MI,USA.
So far , I already have :
Nectar sources :
Bee balm,Lupine,Milkweed
Host plants :
Parsley (Black swallowtail)
False nettle (Eastern comma,Question mark)
Milkweed (Monarch)
Any suggestions will be appreciated.
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Here's a list of what I used in my butterfly garden, when I lived in MI.
Host plants- Many herbs are excellent food sources for caterpillars. Female black swallowtails lay eggs on parsley, fennel, dill and rue (Ruta graveolens). Giant swallowtail larvae also feed on rue. Most of the milkweeds (Asclepias sp.) attract female monarch butterflies to lay eggs and feed their caterpillars. Passionflower vine (Passiflora sp.) is a food plant for gulf and variegated Fritillary larvae.
Nectar plants- Though many flowers contain nectar for butterflies, there are a few superstar performers. A butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.) is great spangled Fritillaries and monarch butterflies. It’s a must for the butterfly garden. You should also include the coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), it will invite the great spangled Fritillary. Verbena, aster, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), butterfly weed (Asclepias sp.), cosmos, Ironweed (Vernonia altissima), Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium sp.), phlox, sedum, and zinnia are a favorite for butterflies of all types.
If I may also suggest- some open water and water soaked sand, this allows all species of butterflies to drink. Some butterflies prefer to eat sugar from rotting fruit, not flowers. Put overripe fruit on a plate - try slices of watermelon, oranges, or bananas. You can also add some orange juice to keep the fruit from drying out as fast. Bananas will be mushier and more appealing to butterflies if you freeze them first and then thaw them and cut them in slices.
Good luck! I love my butterfly garden!
Host plants- Many herbs are excellent food sources for caterpillars. Female black swallowtails lay eggs on parsley, fennel, dill and rue (Ruta graveolens). Giant swallowtail larvae also feed on rue. Most of the milkweeds (Asclepias sp.) attract female monarch butterflies to lay eggs and feed their caterpillars. Passionflower vine (Passiflora sp.) is a food plant for gulf and variegated Fritillary larvae.
Nectar plants- Though many flowers contain nectar for butterflies, there are a few superstar performers. A butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.) is great spangled Fritillaries and monarch butterflies. It’s a must for the butterfly garden. You should also include the coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), it will invite the great spangled Fritillary. Verbena, aster, Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), butterfly weed (Asclepias sp.), cosmos, Ironweed (Vernonia altissima), Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium sp.), phlox, sedum, and zinnia are a favorite for butterflies of all types.
If I may also suggest- some open water and water soaked sand, this allows all species of butterflies to drink. Some butterflies prefer to eat sugar from rotting fruit, not flowers. Put overripe fruit on a plate - try slices of watermelon, oranges, or bananas. You can also add some orange juice to keep the fruit from drying out as fast. Bananas will be mushier and more appealing to butterflies if you freeze them first and then thaw them and cut them in slices.
Good luck! I love my butterfly garden!
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I hear Parsley is good, too! You might want to plant some of that...
Actually, you might want to check with a local nursery or herb garden - a surprising number of herbs are both hosts and food sources. Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) is fantastic, if you aren't too far north. If Albizia (aka Mimosa) trees can handle the cold winters, they're good for big butterflies, bees and Hummingbirds. We used to be able to grow them in southern Mass. Otherwise, go with local sources, and make sure you get your soil checked out, too (or do some soil remediation).
Actually, you might want to check with a local nursery or herb garden - a surprising number of herbs are both hosts and food sources. Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) is fantastic, if you aren't too far north. If Albizia (aka Mimosa) trees can handle the cold winters, they're good for big butterflies, bees and Hummingbirds. We used to be able to grow them in southern Mass. Otherwise, go with local sources, and make sure you get your soil checked out, too (or do some soil remediation).
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Hi there, ;).
Biennial Stock is terrific for Tiger Swallowtails and all the early Skippers etc in May
Biennial Stock is terrific for Tiger Swallowtails and all the early Skippers etc in May
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Try parsley! Works great.