Flowering Plants For Butterflies

With the arrival of spring, North Texans have an opportunity to support our resident and migrating butterflies. Named the state insect of Texas in 1995, monarch butterflies begin their migration north between March and May, needing nectar to fuel their journey. Spring is the perfect time to establish plants that will support butterflies throughout the entire growing season.

In addition to monarchs, there are 154 species of butterflies and moths with verified sightings in Denton County and over 400 species in Texas — the most in any state. Some of the more common butterflies we see in this area are the monarch, queen, Gulf fritillary, painted lady, red admiral, common buckeye and swallowtail butterflies, including pipevine, giant and black swallowtails.

Butterflies require food from spring through fall, so having plants that bloom throughout that time or different plants that overlap blooming times is essential. Butterflies need two types of plants in your garden. Nectar plants provide food for adult butterflies, the sugary fuel they need for energy and migration. Host plants are where butterflies lay their eggs and caterpillars feed and grow. Some plants serve both purposes, making them especially valuable for butterfly gardens.

Plants should be planted where butterflies are protected from strong winds, in sunny areas of clustered or clumped flower beds rather than rows of plants. Select varieties with different flower colors and shapes. Butterflies like bright colors and are particularly attracted to pink, purple, yellow, orange and red.

Here are some plants you can add to your garden to provide nectar during the spring months for butterflies. They will not only provide food for butterflies, but also ensure your garden looks beautiful.

Gregg’s Mistflower(Conoclinium (Eupatorium) greggii): This 2-3’ tall native perennial produces small clusters of fuzzy blue-purple flowers that bloom from spring through fall and serves as a great nectar source for bees and butterflies, especially Queen butterflies. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, adapts to any soil type and is drought-tolerant. If you can only plant one plant for butterflies, this is a great option, and spring is the ideal time to get it established.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa): This 1-2’ tall native perennial produces bright orange flower clusters that bloom from May through September and serves as an essential host plant for monarchs while also providing nectar. Plant in spring in full sun and well-draining soil. It is drought-tolerant once established. Other milkweed species are also great host and nectar sources, including Antelope Horns (Asclepias asperula), Green Antelope Horns (Asclepias viridis) and Swamp or Pink (Asclepias incarnata). Select the best variety for your landscape conditions.
Note: Tropical Milkweed is not recommended as it can be harmful to Monarch butterflies. It contains a protozoan (OE) that reduces mating success and causes poor flight performance. If this is growing in your yard, remove it before the spring monarch migration begins. 

Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii): Watch for this native deciduous shrub to reemerge from the ground in spring, bursting back to life
with bright orange-red flowers that feed both butterflies and hummingbirds. It is both a host plant and nectar source, drought- tolerant, and adapted to many different Texas soils. Plant in full sun for maximum blooming.

Passion Vine (Passiflora incarnata): Serving as both a host plant and nectar source for several butterflies, this stunning vine begins blooming as early as March with showy purple flowers and continues through November. It can climb or sprawl up to 25’, has low water needs, and grows in most soil types in sun or partial shade. Spring is an excellent time to plant and train this fast-growing vine.

Texas Frog Fruit (Phyla nodiflora): An excellent ground cover that begins actively spreading in spring, this versatile native is a good nectar source and host plant. It serves as a possible native alternative to turfgrass, tolerates sun or part shade, blooms with small white and purple flowers, and can handle drought and flooding.

Frostweed (Verbesina virginica): This shade-loving plant, which can grow up to 8’ tall, emerges reliably each spring and begins blooming in summer through December. Planting in spring gives it time to establish before its long bloom period begins, providing nectar well into the butterfly season.

Cowpen Daisy (Verbesina encelioides): A reliable annual that is easy to start from seed in spring. At 3-4-foot tall with large yellow flowers, it thrives in sun and dry soil with little water and will provide nectar for butterflies throughout the warm season.

BEYOND PLANTS

There are some other simple things you can do in your yard to support butterflies. Provide a water source: Place shallow dishes with fresh water near your flower clusters. Add a few flat rocks or twigs so butterflies can land safely while drinking. Change the water every 2-3 days to prevent mosquito breeding.

Minimize pesticide use: Even organic sprays can harm butterflies and their caterpillars. Let nature handle pest control — birds, beneficial insects and lizards will manage problem bugs naturally.

Spring garden prep: Resist the urge to do heavy cleanup too early. Wait until temperatures are consistently warm before cutting back old growth, as overwintering insects and butterfly chrysalises may still be sheltering in spent stems and leaf litter.

START SMALL, THiNK BiG

Spring is the perfect time to get started. Pick one or two varieties of plants and see what happens. Plant in clusters, grouping the same flowers together in patches of at least three plants. Butterflies spot large color blocks more easily than scattered individual plants. You will likely see more butterflies as the season progresses and the plants bloom. Add more plants as you discover what grows best in your yard. Your garden will soon become part of the migration corridorthousands of butterflies travel each spring and fall — a simple and rewarding way to support wildlife while adding color to your landscape.