North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
North Carolina State University

This note prepared by S. Bambara and J. Baker, Extension Entomologists.

Butterflies are colorful and interesting insects that have long been the favorites of collectors. Today, there are fanciers who, rather than pin dead specimens, prefer to watch them flitter about in a natural setting. If you are among this group, there are several things you can do to attract a butterflies to your yard or garden.

To prepare a butterfly garden you will need a location with plenty of sun and protection from strong winds. A planting along a wall, building or hedge is ideal. Remember, a garden planted for butterflies may not be as boldly colorful as one planted for people. However, with a little planning, a butterfly garden can have charm, color and fragrance, plus the added color and action of the moving butterflies. The specific plants that you place in the garden will determine which butterflies will be attracted. Observe established gardens in your area and see what plants are attracting the most. The important characteristics of a good butterfly plant flower are shape, color, and fragrance. Butterflies have a long tongue (proboscis) for sipping nectar from deep flowers. Having many such small flowers packed tightly in a composite head is very desirable to them. The most popular colors for flowers tend to be purple, lavender, and pink. But to attract the widest variety of butterflies, a variety of colors is best. Butterflies may also see colors in flowers that are not visible to humans. Mass plantings of a flower are more attractive than just one or two of each. Fragrance in flowers is also important.

Butterflies have an excellent sense of smell. Use older varieties with more scent rather than hybrid varieties which may be milder in odor. Adult butterflies may live from two weeks to several months. Where do they go? Usually, butterflies lay eggs and become caterpillars that feed on a plant different from the one on which the adult feeds.

These host plants can be weeds, or nearby trees, so you don't necessarily need to supply host plants. Only a few butterflies have a caterpillar which is actually a pest. One is the imported cabbageworm, which feeds on cabbage and broccoli-type plants. These can be controlled with nonchemical bacterial pesticide. Another is the black swallowtail caterpillar (parsleyworm) which feeds on parsley, dill, and carrots. However, they seldom eat enough to do significant damage.

A water supply is not essential, but can serve as a resting spot for some to drink and obtain minerals. If you can't create a nice mud puddle, sink a container full of sand into the ground and keep it moist.

Because butterflies are cold-blooded, they need to warm themselves on cool mornings before they can fly. Add a supply of dark rocks or mass of dark pebbles to collect the morning sun for the butterflies to rest and warm up.

You might even use night-blooming plants such as nicotiana or four o'clocks if you like nectar-drinking moths which are more active at dusk or at night.

Some butterflies are attracted to fermenting fruit. A makeshift feeder can be made with a small tray of cut apple, plum, peach, or other overripe fruit. Red admirals and mourning cloaks may visit these. Feeders may be used to enhance the attractiveness of your garden or any spot in your yard.

With a little luck, a few of the butterflies you might attract to your garden are tiger swallowtails, sulphurs, skippers, hairstreaks, and buckeyes, covering a rainbow of colors.

A hummingbird moth may even make an occasional visit! Obtain a book on butterflies and try to identify what visits your garden. Scan the WEB for other information.

References: Butterflies in Your Backyard.  
       Missouri Butterfly Gardening Link.
       Butterfly Gardening: Creating Summer Magic in Your Garden by The Xerces Soc. Sierra Club Books,    1990.
       Butterflies: How to Identify and Attract Them to Your Garden. Marcus Schneck. 1990. Rodale Press.

Visit: The Museum of Life and Science, Murray Ave. Durham, NC
     Butterfly World, 3600 West Sample Rd. Coconut Creek, FL 33073-4400
     Day Butterfly Center, Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA 31822
     The Butterfly Place, 120 Tyngsboro Rd. Westford, MA 01886
     Other exhibits across the county.

Following is a short list of plants which are attractive to butterflies: