A GARDEN
FOR
BUTTERFLIES
Presented by
“The reintroduction of natural landscape elements into urban and suburban neighborhoods that are
otherwise dominated by introduced species may be the greatest contribution to ecosystem
conservation that we can make. Planting local native plant species in a rich, well‐planned butterfly
garden reduces the isolation of native plants in reserves and parks, provides essential corridors
between remaining patches of habitat, and aids in repairing the patchwork of ecosystems that survive.
“Plant a tree” is a popular exhortation to those who are concerned about our environment, but
significantly more tangible value can be had from planting a garden, a small forest, or a diverse native
plant community to support an assemblage of native butterflies. Such local conservation efforts
provide not only much‐needed havens for the creatures themselves, but they also offer a promise that
future generations will have the opportunity to experience the delight of watching a butterfly flutter
about on a fresh spring morning.”
Dennis D. Murphy, Director of the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University
“Butterflies will come to our gardens and flourish if they find nectar and food plants there. Their
presence will remind us of the essential bond we have with the natural world. Our hope is that scores
of butterfly gardens will emerge in every city, suburb, and town‐‐that gardeners will become directly
engaged in the life cycle of butterflies and then in the biological systems of their gardens. By doing so,
butterfly gardeners will find themselves guardians and curators of Lepidoptera‐‐and, ultimately,
stewards of nature.”
Melody Mackey Allen, Executive Director of the Xerces Society
The mission of Texas Discovery Gardens is to teach effective ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature in the urban environment, with a focus on gardening organically and sustainably. TDG is a non‐profit 501(c)3 organization, supported in part by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 214-428-7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
Butterfly Gardening!
How to attract Aurelian delights to your backyard Why garden for butterflies? • Butterflies invoke pleasure in most people. Their bright colors and seemingly carefree lives instill a sense of wonder and serenity. • Butterflies are ecologically important to the environment. They pollinate the plants they visit for nectar and are the prey of other species. • Butterflies are excellent environmental indicators and are among the first species to leave an area that is damaged or degraded. Conservation is therefore a good reason for gardening for these insects. What is a butterfly? • Butterflies are insects and together with skippers and moths make up the order Lepidoptera, which means ‘scaly‐winged’. All members of this group have this character. How do they differ from moths? • Butterflies differ from moths in three major ways, although there are exceptions to the ‘rules.’ • Butterfly antennae are clubbed or swollen at the end, most moths have simple hair‐like, feather‐like, or comb‐like antennae. • Butterflies have slender, smooth‐looking bodies whereas most moths have thick furry bodies. • Butterflies rest with the wings folded upright, most moths with the wings folded over the body tent‐like or flat. Gardening basics • To attract butterflies to your garden you need to provide both adult and larval plants. • Nectar plants provide the adults with nourishment and are what most people plant when they want butterflies. Flowers that attract butterflies often have heads of blooms and a sturdy landing platform. Most are in shades of yellow, white, lavender, and pink. • Host plants are those that are used in larval (caterpillar) development. Butterflies are territorial and usually select their territory based on host plant availability. • Research what species are in your area. Texas is home to about 450 species of butterflies and due to its great range of environments, they live from the eastern forests to the western deserts. Not all species live throughout the state though so garden for what is likely to be in your area. • Select the best location for your garden. Butterflies are sun‐loving creatures and prefer the brightest areas out of the way of strong winds.
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 214-428-7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org • Select for greatest impact – In addition to nectar and host plants, butterflies require shelter in the form of hiding places such as bushes and clumps of grasses. Rocks are appreciated as basking areas since they must warm themselves up before flight. • Male butterflies visit the edges of puddles, streams and ponds for the water and nutrients vital for sexual maturity. Include a water feature such as a muddy‐edged pond or bird bath. • Select the right plants. These can be found by reading up on each species you are trying to attract. • Maintenance of the garden. Expect your host plants to show damage. After all, the caterpillars will be eating them! Texas Butterflies Eastern Black Swallowtail – Papilio polyxenes – umbelliferous plants such as dill, fennel, parsley, carrot, water hemlock, etc. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail – Pterourus glaucus – wild cherry, sweet bay, yellow poplar Giant Swallowtail – Heraclides cresphontes – citrus, rue, hop ash, prickly ash Pipevine Swallowtail – Battus philenor – pipevines Alfalfa Butterfly – Colias eurytheme – alfalfa, white clover Cloudless Sulphur – Phoebis sennae – senna, candelabra tree, cassia Sleepy Orange – Abaeis nicippe – partridge pea, cassia, senna Little Sulphur – Pyristia lisa – partridge pea, cassia, senna Dainty Yellow – Nathalis iole – Spanish needles, beggars tick, wild marigold Imported Cabbage Butterfly – Artogeia rapae – cruciferous plants such as cabbage, broccoli, turnips, mustard greens, water cress, etc. Checkered White – Pontia protodice – cruciferous plants such as those listed above plus shepherd’s purse, tansy‐mustard, peppergrass Falcate Orangetip – Falcapica midea – wils spcies of crucifers such as rockcress, peppergrass, bitter‐cress , rocket mustard, sickle‐pod Great Purple Hairstreak – Atlides halesus – mistletoes White‐M Hairstreak – Parrhasius m‐album – oaks, especially in the white oak (Q. alba) and live oak groups Olive Hairstreak – Callophrys (Mitoura) gryneus – junipers Henry’s Elfin – Callophrys (Incisalia) henrici – redbud Gray Hairstreak – Strymon melinus – malvaceous plants such as Sida, Turks cap, globe mallows, etc. and legumes such as scalet runner bean, Lima bean, etc. Soapberry Hairstreak – Phaeostrymon Alcestis – Western soapberry Southern Hairstreak – Fixenia favonius – oaks Banded Hairstreak – Satyrium calanus – oaks, walnut, hickory Red‐banded Hairstreak – Calycopis cecrops – decaying leaves of many shrubs and trees
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 214-428-7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org Dusky‐blue Hairstreak – Calycopis isobeon – decaying leaves of many shrubs and trees Eastern‐tailed Blue – Cupido comyntas ‐ many leguminous herbs such as bush clovers, clovers, alfalfa, beggars lice, etc. Spring Azure – Celastrina spp. – dogwood, New Jersey tea, Viburnum Snout Butterfly – Libytheana carineta – hackberry, sugarberry Variegated Fritillary – Euptoieta claudia – violets, passionflower, Maypop, blue flax Gulf Fritillary – Agraulis vanillae – passionflower, Maypop Gorgone Checkerspot – Chlosyne gorgone – sunflowers, crossword, other composites Silvery Checkerspot – Chlosyne nycteis – wingstem, sunflowers, asters, black‐eyed Susan, crownbeard Pearl Crescent – Phyciodes tharos –asters Phaon Crescent – Phyciodes phaon – fog fruit Texas Crescent – Anthanassa texana – acanthaceous plants such as shrimp plant, Ruellia, flame acanthus, tubetongue, Dicliptera, water‐willow Mourning Cloak – Nymphalis antiopa – elm, hackberry, sugarberry, willow Questionmark –Polygonia interrogationis – elm, hackberry, sugarberry Comma, Hop Merchant – Polygonia comma – hops, nettle, false nettle, elm Painted Lady – Vanessa cardui – thistles, cardoon, sunflower American Painted Lady – Vanessa virginiensis – cudweeds, everlastings Red Admiral – Vanessa atalanta – nettle, false nettle, pellitory Buckeye – snapdragon, snapdragon vine, toadflax, false foxglove, ruellia, fog fruit, lemon verbena, plantain Red‐spotted Purple – Limenitis arthemis astyanax – wild cherry, apple, plum California Sister – Adelpha bredowii – oaks, especially evergreen species Hackberry Butterfly – Asterocampa celtis – hackberry, sugarberry Tawny Emperor – Asterocampa clyton – hackberry, sugarberry Monarch – Danaus plexippus – milkweeds Queen – Danaus gilippus – milkweeds Goatweed Leafwing – Anaea andria – goatweed, croton Little Wood Satyr – Megisto cymela – various grasses Red Satyr – Megisto rubricata – Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass Carolina Satyr – Hermeuptychia sosybius – carpet grass, centipede grass, prob. other grasses Common Wood Nymph – Cercyonis pegala – purpletop and other large grasses Gemmed Satyr – Cylopsis gemma – Bermuda grass
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 214-428-7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
BUTTERFLY
HABITAT
DESIGN
Identify butterflies native to your area.
Assess the yard or garden space in its present state, noting trees, shrubs, &herbaceous
flowering plants that are a food source for butterflies & caterpillars.
Select a variety of plants that will attract butterflies to your garden. Include a selection of
larval food &adult nectar plants.
Locate the garden in full sun, or an area that receives at least 4 hours of sunlight.
Provide a windbreak or screen of trees, shrubs or a fence to block excessive wind.
Plan for continuous bloom through the butterfly season (February thru November).
Use groups of plants to display splashes of color to attract more butterflies.
Plant single flower varieties, which are easier for butterflies to nectar upon.
To encourage butterfly visitation, include a water source for puddling or rotted fruit for the
sap feeding butterflies.
Garden organically to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Record your butterfly visitors, taking note of the plants that appear to be their favorite
nectar sources.
For further information:
Butterfly Garden Programs & Butterfly Habitat Certification
John Watts, Entomologist – [email protected]
Roger Sanderson, Director of Horticulture – [email protected]
Program & Volunteer Opportunities
Jennifer Hoffman – [email protected]
Children’s Programming
Erin Shields – [email protected]
The Dallas County Lepidopterists’ Society
Dale Clark – www.dallasbutterlies.com
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
214‐428‐7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
Native and Adapted Plants for a Diverse Butterfly Garden
Buy/grow organic plants, protect your garden from strong winds, and choose a sunny spot to attract native butterflies. Try to keep from cleaning up too much plant material in the fall; many species overwinter in leaf litter or on plants in chrysalis form.
Top Native and Adapted Butterfly Host Plants
Caterpillar host plants, also referred to as larval food plants, are the plant species on which a female butterfly will lay eggs. The caterpillars will then feed upon this plant until they pupate
(form a chrysalis). Plant at least 3‐5 of each plant in order to accommodate hungry caterpillars! Note: these host plants also make great nectar plants for butterflies and/or other pollinators.
1. Hop Ash, Ptelea trifoliata
Butterfly: Giant Swallowtail
2. Passionvine, Passiflora incarnata, P. lutea Butterfly: Gulf Fritillary
3. Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, Dill, Anethum graveolens Butterfly: Eastern Black Swallowtail
4. Rue, Ruta graveolens
Butterfly: Eastern Black Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail 5. Milkweed, Asclepias sp.
Butterfly: Monarch, Queen
6. Hackberry, Celtis sp.
Butterflies: Hackberry, Snout, and Tawny Emperor butterflies 7. Pipevine, Aristolochia sp.
Butterflies: Pipevine Swallowtail 8. Frogfruit, Phyla nodiflora Butterflies: Buckeye, Phaon Crescentspot 9. Sennas, Senna sp.
Butterflies: Giant Cloudless Sulphur, Orange Sulphur, Little Yellow, Sleepy Orange 10. False nettle, Boehmeria cylindrica
Butterflies: Red Admiral, Question Mark, Eastern Comma 11. False Indigo, Amorpha fruticosa
Butterfly: Dogface butterfly, Silver‐spotted Skipper, Gray Hairstreak 12. Clammyweed, Polanasia dodecandra
Butterfly: Great Southern White, Checkered White
Top Native and Adapted Butterfly Nectar Plants
Butterfly Nectar plants provide nourishment for most butterfly species in the nectar, and sometimes pollen, contained in the flowers.
1. Lantana, Lantana sp. 2. Verbena, Verbena sp.
3. Gregg’s Mist Flower, Eupatorium greggii 4. Frostweed, Verbesina virginica
5. Pentas, Pentas lanceolata 6. Autumn Sage, Salvia greggii
7. Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis 8. Hummingbird Bush, Anisacanthus quadrifidus 9. Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens 10. Blackfoot Daisy, Melampodium leucanthum
11. Zinnia, Zinnia sp. (Do not buy double petal varieties. Pollinators can’t access the nectar.) 12. Mexican Sunflower, Tithonia rotundifolia
Texas Discovery Gardens • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
214‐428‐7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
BUTTERFLY NECTAR PLANTS SEASON OF BLOOM SPRING ANNUALS Delphinium sp. Larkspur
Petunia x hybrida Petunia
Viola sp. Johnny Jump Ups
Zinnia spp. Zinnia
PERENNIALS
Achillea sp. Yarrow
Allium sp. Chives, Onions
Camassia scilloides Wild Hyacinth
Centranthus ruber Red Valerian
Dalea wrightii Wright Dalea
Dianthus sp. Garden Pinks, Carnations
Engelmannia pinnatifida Engelmann Daisy
Gaillardia sp. Blanket‐flower
Iberis sempervirens Candytuft
Marshallia caespitosa Barbara’s Buttons
Phlox divaricata Wild Sweet William
Phlox stolonifera Creeping Phlox
Phlox sublata Thrift
Phyla nodiflora Frog‐fruit
Salvia sp. Salvia
Scabiosa columbaria Scabiosa
Sisyrinchium spp. Blue‐eyed Grass
Verbena spp. Verbena
Viola sp. Pansies, Violets
SHRUBS
Berberis trifoliolata Agarita
Buddleia marrubiifolia Woolly Butterfly‐bush
Ceanothus sp. Ceanothus, Red‐root
Cornus drummondii Rough‐leaf Dogwood
Itea virginica Virginia Sweetspire
Philadelphus spp. Mock‐orange
Prunus rivularis Creek Plum
Spiraea sp. Bridal Wreath
Viburnum rufidulum Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum
TREES
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 214-428-7476 • www.TexasDiscoveryGardens.org
Arbutus texana Madrone
Crataegus sp. Hawthorn
Ilex decidua Possumhaw
Ilex vomitoria Yaupon
Malus ioenensis Prairie Crabapple
Prunus caroliniana Cherry Laurel
Prunus mexicana Mexican Plum
Prunus serotina var. eximia Choke Cherry
VINES
Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina‐jessamine
Lonicera sempervirens Coral Honeysuckle
SUMMER ANNUALS
Centaurium sp. Bachelor Buttons
Cosmos sp. Cosmos
Cuphea sp. Cuphea
Gomphrena globosa Globe Amaranth
Helianthus sp. Sunflowers
Heliotropium indica Heliotrope
Melampodium leucanthum Blackfoot Daisy
Monarda sp. Bee Balm
Pentas lanceolata Pentas
Tagetes hybrids Marigold
Tithonia rotundifolia Mexican Sunflower
Verbesina enceloides Cowpen Daisy
Zinnia hybrids Zinnia
PERENNIALS
Anisacanthus sp. Anisacanthus
Asclepias sp. Butterfly Weed
Caesalpinia gilliesii Bird of Paradise
Coreopsis sp. Coreopsis, Tickseed
Echinacea purpurea Coneflower
Eupatorium fistulosum Joe Pye‐weed
Eupatorium greggii Gregg’s Mist Thoroughwort
Lantana sp. Lantana
Liatris sp. Gayfeather
Lobelia sp. Cardinal Flower
Phlox paniculata Summer Phlox
Rudbeckia sp. Black‐eye Susan
Salvia sp. Salvia
Verbena sp. Verbena
Vernonia sp. Ironweed
SHRUBS
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 214-428-7476 • www.TexasDiscoveryGardens.org
Aloysia gratissima Bee‐brush
Amorpha fruticosa False Indigo
Buddleia sp. Butterfly Bush
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush
Eysenhardtia sp. Kidneywood
Leucophyllum frutescens Cenizo, Texas Sage
Malvaviscus arboreus Turks Cap, Drummond Wax‐mallow
Pavonia lasiopetala Rose Pavonia
TREES
Acacia sp. Acacia
Albizia julibrissin Mimosa
Leucaena retusa Golden Ball Lead‐tree
Prosopis glandulosa Honey Mesquite
VINES
Polygonum aubertii Silver Lace Vine
Senecio confusus Mexican Flame Vine
FALL
ANNUALS
Heliopsis healianthoides False Sunflower
PERENNIALS
Aster sp. Fall Aster
Chrysanthemum sp. Chrysanthemums
Eupatorium coelestinum Hardy Ageratum
Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant
Salvia leucantha Mexican Bush Sage
Salvia sp. Salvia
Sedum spectabile Showy Sedum
Solidago sphacelata Goldenrod
Verbesina virginiana Frostweed
Zephyranthes robusta Pink Rain Lily
Zephyranthes sulphurea Yellow Rain Lily
SHRUBS
Buddleia lindleyana Butterfly Bush
Eupatorium havanense Thoroughwort
Eupatorium odoratum Fragrant Eupatorium
VINES
Clematis paniculata Sweet Autumn Clematis
Passiflora sp. Passionvine
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 214-428-7476 • www.TexasDiscoveryGardens.org
Many summer blooming annuals and perennials will remain in flower until the first hard frost, including the following:
Asclepias sp. Butterfly Weed
Buddleia sp. Butterfly Bush
Cosmos sp. Cosmos
Cuphea sp. Cuphea
Echinacea purpurea Coneflower
Eupatorium fistulosum Joe Pye‐weed
Gomphrena globosa Globe Amaranth
Helianthus sp. Sunflowers
Lantana sp. Lantana
Liatris sp. Gayfeather
Malvaviscus arboreus Turks Cap, Drummond Wax‐mallow
Melampodium leucanthum Blackfoot Daisy
Pavonia lasiopetala Rose Pavonia
Pentas lanceolata Pentas
Polygonum aubertii Silver Lace Vine
Tagetes hydrids Marigold
Verbena sp. Verbena
This page contains excerpts from Milkweed, Monarchs and More, by Ba Rea, Karen Oberhauser, and Michael Quinn Texas Discovery Gardens, POB 152537, Dallas, TX 75315 214-428-7476 www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
The Milkweed Community
Careful observation of the milkweed community and the interactions of its diverse members provide a fascinating glimpse into the complex interdependence of living organisms. There are about 110 species of milkweed in North America and 36 species native to Texas. At Texas Discovery Gardens, Asclepias curassavica, or Mexican milkweed is planted throughout the gardens and is available for sale most of the year.
Many insects are attracted to the nectar and pollen of milkweed flowers. Other insects may feed on milkweed leaves, seeds, stems or roots. Predatory insects and arachnids are attracted to the plentiful prey population. Many more species may be found resting temporarily on the plants. You must look carefully on top and under flowers and leaves.
Stay on the path, and walk quietly up to a plant. Insects scared off may return if you remain still. Scan the leaves, flowers, seedpods, and stems for unusual shapes, color, or activity. Watch for signs like chewed leaves and frass (caterpillar droppings). Once you have found a milkweed community member, watch for it again. Note the effects of time, season, temperature, and weather condition, as well as age and condition of the milkweed plant, have on the activity seen. Milkweeds are perennial plants, meaning an individual plant lives for more than one year, growing each spring from rootstock and seeds, rather than seeds alone. Our native milkweeds were historically common and widespread on prairies, but habitat destruction has reduced their range and numbers. Plant milkweed to encourage the return of its inhabitants!
The name “milkweed” comes from the plant’s milky sap that contains latex and a toxic alkaloid which adversely affects birds and mammals. Many insects avoid milkweed, but some insects, most famously the Monarch butterfly caterpillar, have adapted to feeding on milkweed. Tropical milkweed sap is more toxic than our local milkweed species. Avoid contact between yourself and the plant sap.
Unlike many flowers whose pollen is a powder, milkweed flowers transfer their pollen in a pair of waxy packets. This packet attaches to the legs, proboscis or bristly hairs of insects sipping nectar from the flowers.
Flying above the milkweed are bees and wasps. Bumblebees, carpenter bees, honeybees and wasps drink nectar, but several kinds of wasps catch caterpillars for their young. The black-and-orange queen or monarch butterflies feed and lay eggs, but other butterflies will drink milkweed’s nectar. Look for a metallic insect- a predatory long-legged fly. Dragonflies search for insects, too. Nursery web spiders hunt from leaves or stems, and crab spiders crouch on flowers. On the new growth are yellow aphids, food for several species of ladybird beetles. Ants and other insects eat the aphid’s honeydew. Plant bugs with long antennae crawl slowly on the leaves. Bigger assassin bugs look for prey. The black bug with the red Xon back is the small milkweed bug. The large milkweed bug is mostly red with a black band. The five-sided stinkbugs can be predatory or plant-sucking. The praying mantis will catch and eat all insects! Monarchs lay cream-colored eggs on the underside of leaves. Caterpillars feed there also. Caterpillars are identified in one of five instars, or sizes, from 2mm to 45mm. Also, look for arc-shaped holes, or irregular leaf edges where caterpillars have been feeding. Disturbed caterpillars may drop off the leaf for protection. You may see a large caterpillar wandering along the ground- they pupate on plants in other locations, and it is searching for a protected site to prepare its chrysalis.
Host and Nectar Plants for Butterflies
Latin Name Common Name Type Height Light Origin Bloom Nectar Host Plant for
Abelia grandiflora Glossy Abelia shrub 8' sun/pt shade non-native Jun-Oct Yes
Acacia wrightii Wright Acacia tree 6'-10' sun/pt shade native Apr-May Yes Silver-Spotted Skipper
Allium spp. Chives perennial 8"+ sun/pt shade non-native May-Jun Yes
Althaea zebrina French Hollyhock perennial 3' sun/pt shade non-native Spr-Fall Painted Lady
Amorpha fruticosa False Indigo shrub 2'-15' sun/pt shade native Apr-June
Gray Hairstreak, Silver-Spotted Skipper, Hoary Edge, Cloudy Wing, Dogface
Anisacanthus quadrifidus Flame Acanthus perennial 2'-4' sun/pt shade native June-Fall Yes Janais Patch, Texas Crescentspot
Anethum graveolens Dill annual 18" sun/pt shade non-native May-July Yes Black Swallowtail
Aristolochia fimbriata Pipevine vine 3'-6' sun/pt shade non-native Jun-Sep Pipevine Swallowtail
Aristolochia tomentosa Woolly Pipevine vine to 50' sun/pt shade native Mar-May Pipevine Swallowtail
Asclepias asperula Antelope-Horns perennial 8"-2' sun native Mar-Nov Yes Monarch,Queen
Ascelepias curassavica Mexican Milkweed annual 3' sun native May-Oct Yes Monarch, Queen
Aslepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed perennial 5' sun non-native May-Jun Yes Monarch, Queen
Asclepias viridis Green Milkweed perennial 2' sun/pt shade native Mar-Sep Yes Monarch, Queen
Berberis trifoliata Agarito shrub 3'-6' sun/pt shade native Mar-Apr Yes
Buddleia davidii Butterfly Bush shrub 3'-12' sun/pt shade non-native May-Frost Yes
Caesalpinia gillesii Bird of Paradise shrub 8'-10' sun native Spr-Fall Yes
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush shrub 3'-15' sun native Jun-Sep Yes
Cercis canadensis Redbud tree 10'-20' sun/pt shade native March Yes Henry's Elfin
Chasmanthium latifolium Inland Sea Oats perennial 2'-4' shade/pt shade native Summer
Celia's Roadside Skipper, Common Roadside Skipper
Clerodendrum bungei Cashmere Bouquet perennial 5'x4' pt/shade-shade non-native May,Oct Yes
Coreopsis sp. Tickseed perennial 1'-2' sun/pt shade native/hybrids Apr-June Yes
Dalea greggii Dalea perennial 4"-9" sun native May-Sep Yes Dog Face
Dalea frutescens Black Dalea perennial 3'-4' sun native June-Oct Yes Dog Face
Dicliptera bracheata Perennial Dicliptera perennial 14"-28" pt/shade-shade native July-Frost Texas Crescentspot
Dicliptera suberecta Velvet Honeysuckle perennial 2'-3- sun native June-Sep Yes
Diospyros texana Texas Persimmon tree 10'-15' sun/pt shade native Early Spring Gray Hairstreak
Coneflower perennial 2' sun/pt shade native Apr-May Yes
Eupatorium greggii Gregg's Mist Flower perennial 8" sun/pt shade native May-Oct Yes
Fallugia paradoxa Apache Plume shrub 6' sun/pt shade native May-Dec Yes
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel biennial/pere 2'-5' sun/pt shade non-native May-June Yes Black Swallowtail
Gaillardia grandiflora Blanket Flower per/annual 1' sun/pt shade native Apr-May Yes
Gomphrena globosa Globe Amaranthus annual 18" sun non-native Spr-Frost Yes
Ipomopsis rubra Standing Cypress biennia 5' sun native Apr-May Yes
Lantana spp. Lantana per/annual 3'-5' sun native May-Oct Yes Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Lonicera sempervirens Coral Honeysuckle vine 10'plus sun/pt shade native Spr-Fall Yes Spring Azure
Host and Nectar Plants for Butterflies
Latin Name Common Name Type Height Light Origin Bloom Nectar Host Plant for
Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife perennial 3' sun/pt shade native June-Aug Yes
Medicago sativa Alfalfa perennial 3' sun/pt shade non-native April
Dogface, Orange Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Melampodium leucanthemum Blackfoot Daisy perennial 8"-1' sun native May-Nov Yes
Monarda didyma Beebalm perennial 3'x3' sun non-native Jun-Jul Yes
Passiflora caerulea Blue Crown vine 10'plus sun/pt shade non-native Jun-Sep Gulf Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary
Passiflora incarnata Maypop vine 10'plus sun/pt shade native Jun-Sep Gulf Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary
Passiflora x 'Incense' Passionvine vine 12' sun/pt shade hybrid May-Sep Gulf Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary
Pentas lanceolata Pentas annual 18" sun non-native Sp-Fall Yes Tersa Sphinx Moth
Petroselinum crispum Parsley biennial 1'-3' sun/pt shade non-native Spr-Fall Yes Black Swallowtail
Philadelphus ernestii TX Mock Orange shrub 3' sun/pt shade native April Yes
Phlox paniculata Phlox perennial 3' sun native June-Aug Yes
Phyla nodiflora Frogfruit perennial 3"x1' sun/shade native Spr-Fall Yes Buckeye, Phaon Crescent
Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant perennial 3'-4' sun/pt shade native Aug-Sep Yes
Polanisia dodecandra Clammyweed annual 2' sun native Mar-Oct Yes Cabbage White, Great Southern White
Prosopis juliflora Mesquite tree 20'-30' sun native Mar-Sept Yes
Longtail Skipper, Reakirt's Blue, Ceraunus Blue
Prunus rivularis Creek Plum tree 12' sun/pt shade native Mar-Apr Yes Tiger Swallowtail, Red Spotted Purple
Prunus serotina Black Cherry tree 60' sun native Mar-Apr Yes Spring Azure, Viceroy, Tiger Swallowtail
Ptelea trifoliata Hop Ash tree 24' sun/pt shade native Mar-June Giant Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail
Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac shrub 3'-8' sun/pt shade native Feb-Mar Red-banded Hairstreak
Rudbeckia spp. Black-eyed Susan perennial 2'-12' sun native/non-na Jun-Sep Yes Silvery Checkerspot
Ruellia brittoniana Mexican Petunia perennial 3' sun/pt shade native June-Oct Yes Texas Crescentspot
Ruta graveolens Rue perennial 3'x2' sun/pt shade non-native Sep-Oct Giant Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail
Salvia greggii Autumn Sage perennial 2'-3' sun native Apr-Nov Yes
Sedum spectabile Sedum perennial 1'-2' sun non-native July-Nov Yes Gray Hairstreak
Senna alata Emperor's Candlestick annual 10' sun non-native Aug-Oct Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak
Senna corymbosa Argentine Senna perennial 10' sun/pt shade non-native Sep-Nov
, g p , Sleepy Orange
Thymus spp. Thyme perennial 2"-4" sun/pt shade non-native Mar-May Yes
Tithonia rotundifolia Mexican Sunflower annual 3' sun non-native June-Oct Yes
Ungnadia speciosa Mexican Buckeye tree 8'-12' sun/pt shade native Mar-Apr Yes
Verbena spp. Verbena perennial 6"-1' sun both May-Nov Yes
Verbesina virginica Frostweed perennial 3'-7' sun native Oct-Nov Yes
Viola spp. Violet perennial 6"-12" sun/pt shade both April Variegated Fritillary
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis Hercule's Club tree 15' sun native Apr-May Giant Swallowtail
Zinnia spp. Zinnia annual 8"-12" sun non-native May-Oct Yes
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 214-428-7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
Retail
Sources
for
Butterfly
Plants
Eden’s Organic Garden
4710 Pioneer Rd, Balch Springs
214‐348‐3336
www.safe‐garden.com
Nicholson Hardie
5725 West Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75209
214‐357‐4348
North Haven Gardens Inc.
7700 Northaven Road Dallas, Texas 75230 214‐363‐5316 Organic Dynamics 1515 US Highway 80 E Mesquite, TX 75150‐5621 (972) 216‐5296 Redenta’s 2001 Skillman St. Dallas, Texas 75206 214‐823‐9421 www.redentas.com
Rohde's Nursery & Nature Store
1651 Wall St., Garland Texas 972‐864‐1934 www.beorganic.com Shades of Green 8801 Coit Road, Frisco, Texas 972‐335‐9095 Weston Gardens 8101 Anglin Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76410
817‐572‐0549 MAIL ORDER Forest Farm 990 Tetherow Road Williams, Oregon 97544‐9599 503‐846‐6963 (11:00 AM & 5:00 PM)
Native American Seed
3400 Long Prairie Road
Flower Mound, Texas 75028
214‐539‐0534
Wildseed, Incorporated
1101 Campo Rosa Road
P.Ol Box 308
Eagle Lake, Texas 77434
409‐234‐7207
Park Seed Co.
Cokesbury Road
Greenwood, SC 29647‐0001
Plant Delights Nursery Inc.
9241 Sauls Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27603
919‐772‐4794
www.plantdelights.com
Thompson & Morgan
P.O. Box 1308
Jackson, NJ 08527‐0308
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
214-428-7476 www.TexasDiscoveryGardens.org
Bibliography
Butterfly Gardening
Ajilvsgi, Geyata. 1990. Butterfly Gardening for the South. Texas: Taylor Publishing Company.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 1995. Butterfly Gardens, Luring Nature’s Loveliest Pollinators to Your Yard. BBG Publication, Handbook #143. ISBN 0-945352-88-3
Grissell, Eric, & Goodpasture, Carll. 2001. Insects and Gardens: In Pursuit of a Garden Ecology. Timber Press, ISBN 0881925047
Rothschild, M., & C. Farrell. 1983. The Butterfly Gardener. London: Michael Joseph Ltd/Rainbow. Schneck, Marcus. 1994. Creating a Butterfly Garden. Fireside, ISBN: 0671892460
Sedenko, Jerry. 1991. The Butterfly Garden: Creating Beautiful Gardens to Attract Butterflies. New York: Villard Books.
Tekulsky, Mathew. 1985. The Butterfly Garden. Boston: The Harvard Common Press. ISBN: 0916782697
Warren, E. J. M. 1988. The Country Diary Book of Creating a Butterfly Garden. New York: Henry Holt and Company. Xerces Society 1998. Butterfly Gardening: Creating Summer Magic in Your Garden. Sierra Club Books, ISBN: 0871569752
Butterfly Identification Guides
Brock, Jim & Kaufman, Kenn. 2003. Butterflies of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0-618-25400-5 Carter, David J. 1992. The Eyewitness Handbook of Butterflies and Moths. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd. Howe, W.H. (ed.) 1975. The Butterflies of North America. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday Press.
Neck, Raymond W. 1996. A Field Guide to Texas Butterflies. Houston Texas Gulf Publishing Company. ISBN 0-87719-243-X
Opler, Paul A. 1992. A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scott, J.A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History and FieldGuide. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press.
Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Tveten, John and Gloria, 1996. Butterflies of Houston and Southeast Texas. Austin Texas: University of Texas Press. ISBN 0-292-78142-3
Walton, Richard and Paul Opler. 1990. Familiar Butterflies of North America. Alfred Knopf. ISBN Q679-72981-X
Wright, Amy Bartlett. 1993. Peterson First Guides to Caterpillars of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Visit the Dallas County Lepidopterists Society webpage for more reference books on moths and butterflies! www.dallasbutterflies.com
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park. 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 214-428-7476. www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
Native Butterfly Checklist
Date Time/Location Butterfly (egg/larvae/pupa) Activity/Plant
Month-Day-Year _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________
1
TEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS
BUTTERFLY HABITAT PROGRAM
Application for Certification
Name:__________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________________________________ City:_________________________________________State:______________Zip:_____________________ Daytime Phone Number: _____________________________ Home Phone ___________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________
Did you take our butterfly gardening workshop? Yes No
I. Caterpillar Food Plants (Larval Food Plants)-- List the Trees, Shrubs, Annuals and Perennials that feed
butterfly larvae: Continue on a separate page if needed.
Trees & Shrubs Qty. Annuals & Perennials Qty.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ II. Butterfly Nectar Plants - List the Trees, Shrubs, Annuals and Perennials that provide sugar and pollen for Butterfly Adults. Continue on a separate page if needed.
Trees & Shrubs Qty. Annuals & Perennials Qty.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________
2
III. Water / Mud for Puddling -- Describe your method for providing a water source for butterflies and/or a
mud source for extra water and minerals.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ IV. Feeders (Optional) - Describe any butterfly feeders and the number used. If you are providing rotted fruit for the sap feeding species, please describe your feeder and food source. Note: trees such as a mulberry
or plum will provide sap if the fruit is left to ripen and ferment on the ground.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ V. Habitat Design
How many hours of sun does the area receive daily during the summer?
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Which direction does it face? (North, South, East, West)
___________________________________________________________________________________________ Is there a windbreak? Please describe.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ What is the approximate size of the habitat? (Square Feet or Acres) ___________________________________
3
List any large trees or shrubs that could provide roosting and shelter.
Tree or Shrub Number Size
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________
VI. Pest Control - Please describe any methods or substances used in the habitat for pest control.
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ VII. Is there additional information you wish to add regarding your butterfly habitat?
___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ OPTIONAL: You may include a sketch of your habitat design or non-returnable photos.
Certification is $35 and includes a complimentary sign for your garden. Please mail or fax the completed application to:
Texas Discovery Gardens Butterfly Habitat Program
P.O. Box 152537 Dallas, Texas 75315
Fax (214) 428-5338 www.TexasDiscoveryGardens.org
Applications will be reviewed for diversity of plant material & general landscape conditions that provide a healthy environment for the entire life cycle of a diversity of butterfly species. Signs will be mailed out within three weeks of application and payment ($35).
The mission of Texas Discovery Gardens is to teach effective ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature in an urban setting, with a focus on gardening organically and sustainably. Texas Discovery Gardens is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization supported in part by funds from the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.
