Trees that Attract Butterflies

Nectar plants

Common name Scientific name Zones Habit Size Exposure Comments

Amelanchier; Serviceberry Amelanchier arborea 3-7 D 10 to 20' Sun to partial shade Blooms just before dogwoods; white flowers; good fall color

Ash, Prickly Zanthoxylum spp. 3-7 D 15 to 25' Sun to partial shade Long prickles; yellowish green flowers; black seeds on female plants

Basswood; Linden Tilia americana, T. cordata 3-8 D 60 to 75' Sun to partial shade Useful as shade tree in urban areas; yellow fall color

Birch, River Betula nigra 3-9 D 25 to 40' Sun to partial shade Multi-trunk is desired; native tree; graceful branching

Boxelder Acer negundo 3-9 D 30 to 50' Sun to partial shade Considered a weedy tree; attracts boxelder bugs

Buckeye Aesculus spp 5-8 D 20 to Sun Pink, red or yellow flowers in early summer

Cherry, Wild Prunus serotina 3-9 D 50 to 60' Sun White flowers in spring; black fruit in summer; good fall foliage

Chokecherry Prunus virginiana 2-6 D 20 to 30' Sun White flowers in spring; black fruit in summer; good fall foliage

Crape myrtle Lagerstroemia indica 7-9 D 8 to 30' Sun Showy display of flowers in summer; excellent fall color

Holly Ilex spp. 5-9 E 15 to 45' Sun to partial shade

Horsechestnut Aesculus hippocastamon 3-7 D 50 to 75 Sun to partial shade White to pink flowers in spring

Mimosa Albizia julibrissin 6-9 D 20 to 30' Sun Short-lived; good summer color; attracts hummingbirds; 'Charlotte' and 'Tryon' are disease resistant

Mulberry, Red Morus rubra 5-9 D 40 to 70' Sun Fruit red turning black; sometimes good fall foliage

Pawpaw Asimina triloba 5-8 D 20 to 30' Sun to partial shade Native; marron flowers in spring; yellowish green fruit

Plum, Chickasaw Prunus angustifolia 5-9 D -- Sun White flowers in spring; red fruit

Plum, Wild Prunus americana 5-9 D 12 to 20 Sun White flowers in spring; red fruit; native

Poplar, Tulip Liriodendron tulipifera 5-8 D 60 to 150' Sun Branches are brittle; yellow fall color

Redbud, Eastern Cercis canadensis 4-9 D 20 to 30' Sun to partial shade Early flowers; drought tolerant

Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum 5-8 D 20 to 30' Sun to shade Excellent native tree; white flowers in summer; red fall color

Sparkleberry Vaccinum arboreum 6-9 D 6 to 10' Sun to partial shade Fragrant white flowers in spring; gritty nonjuicy berries last into winter

Witchhazel, Common Hamamelis virginiana 3-8 D 20 to 30' Sun to partial shade Native; yellow flowers in fall

Willow, Black Salix nigra 4-9 D 10 to 20' Sun Brittle wood; weedy tree

Host (larval plants)

Common name Scientific name Zone Habit Exposure Height Comments

Alder Alnus spp. 4-7 D Sun to partial shade 40 to 60' Prefers moist to damp soil but tolerates dry sites; attractive male catkins

Ash, Green Fraxinus pennsylvanica 3-9 D Sun 50 to 60' Transplants well; grows in a variety of locations and soils; yellow fall color; many cultivars

Ash, White Fraxinus americana 4-9 D Sun 60 to 80' Tolerates adverse conditions; yellow to purple fall color; reseeds itself

Ash, Prickly Zanthoxylum americanum 3-7 D Sun to partial shade 15 to 25' Long prickles; yellowish green flowers; black seeds on female plants

Basswood; Linden Tilia americana 3-8 D Sun to partial shade 60 to 75' Useful as shade tree in urban areas; yellow fall color

Birch, River Betula nigra 6-8 D Sun to partial shade 25 to 40' Multi-trunk is desired; native tree; graceful branching; cultivar: Heritage, Duraheat

Boxelder Acer negundo 3-9 D Sun to partial shade 30 to 50' Considered a weedy tree; attracts boxelder bugs

Cedar, Eastern red Juniperous virginiana 3-9 E Sun 30 to 40' Native evergreen; good for screening; blue berries on female trees

Cherry, Black Prunus serotina 3-9 D Sun 50 to 60' White flowers in spring; black fruit in summer; good fall foliage

Chokecherry Aronis spp. 4-9 D Sun to partial shade 6 to 10' White to pink flowers in spring; scarlet and wine-red fall color; bright crimson berries in fall/winter

Cottonwood, Eastern Populus deltoides 3-9 D Sun 75 to 100' Short lived tree; messy - drops leaves, twigs, branches

Dogwood, Flowering Cornus florida 6-8 D Partial shade 15 to 30' White flowers in spring; red fruit in fall; maroon to red fall foliage

Elm, Winged Ulmus alata 6-9 D Sun 30 to 40' Small foliage; twigs usually have corky ridges or wings; yellow fall color

Elm, American Ulmus americana 3-9 D Sun to partial shade 75 to 125' Beautiful growth habit, but Dutch Elm disease limits use; yellow fall color; 'Valley Forge' and 'New Harmony' are disease resistant

Hackberry Celtis spp. 3-9 D Sun 60 to 80' Native; bark tends to be warty; orange to blue-black fruit

Holly, American Ilex opaca 5-9 E Sun to partial shade 15 to 45' Must have both sexes for berry production; native

Holly, Yaupon Ilex vomitoria 7-8 E Sun to shade 10 to 20' Use for background or naturalizing; 'Pendula' weeping form

Hoptree Ptelea trifoliata 3-9 D Sun to shade 15 to 20' Native

Ironwood Carpinus caroliniana 3-9 D Sun to partial shade 20 to 30' Native; smooth fluted bark

Lilac Syringa spp. 3-7 D Sun to partial shade 4 to 15' Fragrant flowers in spring

Locust, Honey Gleditsia triacanthos 4-9 D Sun 50 to 75' Casts light shade; easy fall cleanup; use improved thornless cultivars, var.: Shademaster, Intermis, Sunburst

Locust, Black Robinia pseudoacacia 4-8 D Sun 30 to 50' White flower cluster in spring; drought tolerant

Magnolia, Sweetbay Magnolia virginiana 6-8 E to semi-E Sun to shade 10 to 60' Leaves have silvery underside; creamy white flowers in May September; will grow in wet sites; often multi-trunk

Maple Acer spp 4-9 D Sun 20 to 75'

Oak, Live Quercus virginiana 7-8 E Sun to partial shade 30 to 50' Excellent for coastal areas

Palm, Cabbage Sabal palmetto 8 E Sun to shade 20 to 30' Not hardy in piedmont or mountains

Pawpaw Asimina triloba 5-8 D Sun to partial shade 20 to 30' Native; marron flowers in spring; yellowish green fruit

Persimmon, Common Diospyros virginiana 4-9 D Sun to partial shade 30 to 60' Yellow to orange fruit; orange to mauve fall foliage; native

Plum, Wild Prunus americana 5-9 D Sun 12 to 20' White flowers in spring; red fruit; native

Poplar, Tulip Liriodendron tulipifera 5-8 D Sun 60 to 150' Branches are brittle; yellow fall color

Redbay Persea borbonia 8-9 E Sun to partial shade 20 to 30' Native; nonshowy flowers; range of soil types

Sassafras Sassafras albidum 4-9 D Sun to partial shade 30 to 60' Yellow flowers in spring; yellow, orange, pink to scarlet fall foliage

Sparkleberry Vaccinum arboreum 6-9 D Sun to partial shade 6 to 10' Fragrant white flowers in spring; gritty nonjuicy berries last into winter

Spicebush Lindera benzoin 5-9 D Sun to partial shade 6 to 12' Greenish yellow fragrant flowers; scarlet red fruit in fall; brilliant yellow fall foliage

Sumac Rhus spp. 3-9 D Sun to partial shade 10 to 25 Native; greenish white flowers; red to brown fruit; good fall foliage

Viburnum, Mapleleaf Viburnum acerifolium 4-8 D Sun to partial shade Native; yellowish white flowers in summer; black fruit

Walnut, Black Juglans nigra 4-9 D Sun 50 to 75' Often defoliates; black fruit

Willow, Weeping Salix babylonica 5-9 D Sun to partial shade 30 to 50' Weeping; invasive roots; avoid planting near sewers and water lines

Willow, Black Salix nigra 4-9 D Sun 15 to 25' Brittle wood

Prepared by: Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist

Common name	Scientific name	Zones	Habit	Size	Exposure	Comments
Amelanchier; Serviceberry	Amelanchier arborea	3-7	D	10 to 20'	Sun to partial shade	Blooms just before dogwoods; white flowers; good fall color
Ash, Prickly	Zanthoxylum spp.	3-7	D	15 to 25'	Sun to partial shade	Long prickles; yellowish green flowers; black seeds on female plants
Basswood; Linden	Tilia americana, T. cordata	3-8	D	60 to 75'	Sun to partial shade	Useful as shade tree in urban areas; yellow fall color
Birch, River	Betula nigra	3-9	D	25 to 40'	Sun to partial shade	Multi-trunk is desired; native tree; graceful branching
Boxelder	Acer negundo	3-9	D	30 to 50'	Sun to partial shade	Considered a weedy tree; attracts boxelder bugs
Buckeye	Aesculus spp	5-8	D	20 to	Sun	Pink, red or yellow flowers in early summer
Cherry, Wild	Prunus serotina	3-9	D	50 to 60'	Sun	White flowers in spring; black fruit in summer; good fall foliage
Chokecherry	Prunus virginiana	2-6	D	20 to 30'	Sun	White flowers in spring; black fruit in summer; good fall foliage
Crape myrtle	Lagerstroemia indica	7-9	D	8 to 30'	Sun	Showy display of flowers in summer; excellent fall color
Holly	Ilex spp.	5-9	E	15 to 45'	Sun to partial shade
Horsechestnut	Aesculus hippocastamon	3-7	D	50 to 75	Sun to partial shade	White to pink flowers in spring
Mimosa	Albizia julibrissin	6-9	D	20 to 30'	Sun	Short-lived; good summer color; attracts hummingbirds; 'Charlotte' and 'Tryon' are disease resistant
Mulberry, Red	Morus rubra	5-9	D	40 to 70'	Sun	Fruit red turning black; sometimes good fall foliage
Pawpaw	Asimina triloba	5-8	D	20 to 30'	Sun to partial shade	Native; marron flowers in spring; yellowish green fruit
Plum, Chickasaw	Prunus angustifolia	5-9	D	--	Sun	White flowers in spring; red fruit
Plum, Wild	Prunus americana	5-9	D	12 to 20	Sun	White flowers in spring; red fruit; native
Poplar, Tulip	Liriodendron tulipifera	5-8	D	60 to 150'	Sun	Branches are brittle; yellow fall color
Redbud, Eastern	Cercis canadensis	4-9	D	20 to 30'	Sun to partial shade	Early flowers; drought tolerant
Sourwood	Oxydendrum arboreum	5-8	D	20 to 30'	Sun to shade	Excellent native tree; white flowers in summer; red fall color
Sparkleberry	Vaccinum arboreum	6-9	D	6 to 10'	Sun to partial shade	Fragrant white flowers in spring; gritty nonjuicy berries last into winter
Witchhazel, Common	Hamamelis virginiana	3-8	D	20 to 30'	Sun to partial shade	Native; yellow flowers in fall
Willow, Black	Salix nigra	4-9	D	10 to 20'	Sun	Brittle wood; weedy tree

Common name	Scientific name	Zone	Habit	Exposure	Height	Comments
Alder	Alnus spp.	4-7	D	Sun to partial shade	40 to 60'	Prefers moist to damp soil but tolerates dry sites; attractive male catkins
Ash, Green	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	3-9	D	Sun	50 to 60'	Transplants well; grows in a variety of locations and soils; yellow fall color; many cultivars
Ash, White	Fraxinus americana	4-9	D	Sun	60 to 80'	Tolerates adverse conditions; yellow to purple fall color; reseeds itself
Ash, Prickly	Zanthoxylum americanum	3-7	D	Sun to partial shade	15 to 25'	Long prickles; yellowish green flowers; black seeds on female plants
Basswood; Linden	Tilia americana	3-8	D	Sun to partial shade	60 to 75'	Useful as shade tree in urban areas; yellow fall color
Birch, River	Betula nigra	6-8	D	Sun to partial shade	25 to 40'	Multi-trunk is desired; native tree; graceful branching; cultivar: Heritage, Duraheat
Boxelder	Acer negundo	3-9	D	Sun to partial shade	30 to 50'	Considered a weedy tree; attracts boxelder bugs
Cedar, Eastern red	Juniperous virginiana	3-9	E	Sun	30 to 40'	Native evergreen; good for screening; blue berries on female trees
Cherry, Black	Prunus serotina	3-9	D	Sun	50 to 60'	White flowers in spring; black fruit in summer; good fall foliage
Chokecherry	Aronis spp.	4-9	D	Sun to partial shade	6 to 10'	White to pink flowers in spring; scarlet and wine-red fall color; bright crimson berries in fall/winter
Cottonwood, Eastern	Populus deltoides	3-9	D	Sun	75 to 100'	Short lived tree; messy - drops leaves, twigs, branches
Dogwood, Flowering	Cornus florida	6-8	D	Partial shade	15 to 30'	White flowers in spring; red fruit in fall; maroon to red fall foliage
Elm, Winged	Ulmus alata	6-9	D	Sun	30 to 40'	Small foliage; twigs usually have corky ridges or wings; yellow fall color
Elm, American	Ulmus americana	3-9	D	Sun to partial shade	75 to 125'	Beautiful growth habit, but Dutch Elm disease limits use; yellow fall color; 'Valley Forge' and 'New Harmony' are disease resistant
Hackberry	Celtis spp.	3-9	D	Sun	60 to 80'	Native; bark tends to be warty; orange to blue-black fruit
Holly, American	Ilex opaca	5-9	E	Sun to partial shade	15 to 45'	Must have both sexes for berry production; native
Holly, Yaupon	Ilex vomitoria	7-8	E	Sun to shade	10 to 20'	Use for background or naturalizing; 'Pendula' weeping form
Hoptree	Ptelea trifoliata	3-9	D	Sun to shade	15 to 20'	Native
Ironwood	Carpinus caroliniana	3-9	D	Sun to partial shade	20 to 30'	Native; smooth fluted bark
Lilac	Syringa spp.	3-7	D	Sun to partial shade	4 to 15'	Fragrant flowers in spring
Locust, Honey	Gleditsia triacanthos	4-9	D	Sun	50 to 75'	Casts light shade; easy fall cleanup; use improved thornless cultivars, var.: Shademaster, Intermis, Sunburst
Locust, Black	Robinia pseudoacacia	4-8	D	Sun	30 to 50'	White flower cluster in spring; drought tolerant
Magnolia, Sweetbay	Magnolia virginiana	6-8	E to semi-E	Sun to shade	10 to 60'	Leaves have silvery underside; creamy white flowers in May September; will grow in wet sites; often multi-trunk
Maple	Acer spp	4-9	D	Sun	20 to 75'
Oak, Live	Quercus virginiana	7-8	E	Sun to partial shade	30 to 50'	Excellent for coastal areas
Palm, Cabbage	Sabal palmetto	8	E	Sun to shade	20 to 30'	Not hardy in piedmont or mountains
Pawpaw	Asimina triloba	5-8	D	Sun to partial shade	20 to 30'	Native; marron flowers in spring; yellowish green fruit
Persimmon, Common	Diospyros virginiana	4-9	D	Sun to partial shade	30 to 60'	Yellow to orange fruit; orange to mauve fall foliage; native
Plum, Wild	Prunus americana	5-9	D	Sun	12 to 20'	White flowers in spring; red fruit; native
Poplar, Tulip	Liriodendron tulipifera	5-8	D	Sun	60 to 150'	Branches are brittle; yellow fall color
Redbay	Persea borbonia	8-9	E	Sun to partial shade	20 to 30'	Native; nonshowy flowers; range of soil types
Sassafras	Sassafras albidum	4-9	D	Sun to partial shade	30 to 60'	Yellow flowers in spring; yellow, orange, pink to scarlet fall foliage
Sparkleberry	Vaccinum arboreum	6-9	D	Sun to partial shade	6 to 10'	Fragrant white flowers in spring; gritty nonjuicy berries last into winter
Spicebush	Lindera benzoin	5-9	D	Sun to partial shade	6 to 12'	Greenish yellow fragrant flowers; scarlet red fruit in fall; brilliant yellow fall foliage
Sumac	Rhus spp.	3-9	D	Sun to partial shade	10 to 25	Native; greenish white flowers; red to brown fruit; good fall foliage
Viburnum, Mapleleaf	Viburnum acerifolium	4-8	D	Sun to partial shade		Native; yellowish white flowers in summer; black fruit
Walnut, Black	Juglans nigra	4-9	D	Sun	50 to 75'	Often defoliates; black fruit
Willow, Weeping	Salix babylonica	5-9	D	Sun to partial shade	30 to 50'	Weeping; invasive roots; avoid planting near sewers and water lines
Willow, Black	Salix nigra	4-9	D	Sun	15 to 25'	Brittle wood