Lettuce Share

A recent request on Facebook has had me happily researching butterfly plants.  But with over 15,000 different species of butterflies and even more larval and nectar plants, my own garden is a good way to pare down the subject.  My garden is in Southwest Florida, more specifically, Sarasota.  And there are four categories of butterflies that can be spotted regularly around here - Monarchs, Swallowtails, Sulphurs, and Fritillaries.     

A Monarch hiding in some Milkweed

The easiest and fastest way to get started is with Milkweed.  Buy as little as one small plant and wait for the Monarchs.  Milkweed is the only larval plant Monarchs will lay their eggs on.  Larval plants are also called host plants because after adult butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves, the hatched caterpillars feed on them.  In addition to being a larval plant, Milkweed is also a nectar plant.  A successful butterfly garden needs a combination of both.  The nectar plants are far less specific – many brightly colored, aptly shaped flowers fit the bill.  I’ve watched Monarchs sip nectar from Purple Coneflowers, Sunflowers, Pentas, and Zinnias.

A Spicebush Swallowtail with its probiscus sunk into a Mexican sunflower

Swallowtails have a broader palette than Monarchs; the herbs are what draw these beauties to my garden - parsley, dill and fennel are favorite larval plants.  The herbs are known hosts; my nectar recommendation is only a personal observation – plant Mexican sunflowers.  I’ve yet to find another flower that attracts more Swallowtails.

A Gulf Fritillary perched on a Mexican Sunflower

Mexican sunflowers also attract Gulf Fritillaries, along with Pentas, Button Sage, Lantana, and Spanish Needle.  Most vines in the Passionflower family can serve as hosts but avoid Red Passion-flower and Purple Granadilla.  Larvae don’t fare as well on these varieties. Instead try Corky-stemmed, Maypop or Yellow.  

An Orange-barred Sulphur feeding on the Cassia tree

Sulphurs are last on my list and by far the most elusive.  It wasn’t until my Cassia tree went in that we started seeing regulars.  Up to that point, the orange and yellow butterflies flew through the yard but never stopped for nectar.  Now, it’s as if they’re permanent ornaments that came with the tree.  Cassias, along with members of the bean family, host Sulphurs.  As for nectar, Pentas and Tropical Sage are good choices.  The latter is a cinch to grow - the plants don’t mind sandy soil, and it’s an aggressive self-sower.   

Tropical Sage

Some other nectar plants I’ve had good luck with are Tickseed, Blanketflower, Black-eyed Susan, Porterweed, and any variety of Sunflower. 

Tickseed

Purple Coneflowers