Our high school EAST class is planning to plant a butterfly garden. We need plants for the butterflies and caterpillars to eat and lay their eggs on. What plants attract them and which ones will suit the purposes stated in the previous sentence. (These are Arkansas-native butterflies, so please give AR plants) Thanks so much!
One Response
Saturday, 15. May 2010
Milkweed; buddleia davidii-Butterfly bush; sage-also called salvia
Common butterfly species lay their eggs on particular plants (usually trees), and it is often on the underside of their leaves that you’ll find caterpillars.
Some of these plants/trees and the butterfly larvae they host are milkweed, dogbane (Monarch); cow parsnip, fennel, dill (Swallowtails); cottonwood, wild cherry, willow, maple, alder (Tiger Swallowtail); willow, cottonwood (Mourning Cloak); birch, alder, willow, gooseberry, currant, wild rhododendron (Angelwing); cabbage, mustard, nasturtium (Cabbage White); thistle, pearly everlsting (Painted Lady http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Butterflies.htm