Plants for Butterflies and their Caterpillars

Perennials
Botanical Common
Achillea Yarrow
Actaea Bugbane/Cimicifuga
Alcea (singles) Hollyhock
Amorpha Leadplant
Antennaria Pussytoes
Aquilegia Columbine
Arabis Rockcress
Arctostaphylos Kinnikinnick
Artemisia tridentata Sage
Asclepias (many) Butterfly Weed
Aster Michaelmas Daisy
Astragalus Milkvetch
Atriplex Saltbrush
Baptisia False Indigo
Chrysothamnus Rabbitbrush
Coreopsis Tickseed
Dalea Purple Prairie Clover
Dicentra formosa Western Bleeding Heart
Echinops Globe Thistle
Echinacea Coneflower
Epilobium Fireweed
Erigeron Fleabane
Eriogomun Buckwheat
Eupatorium Joe Pye Weed
Gailardia Blanket Flower
Helenium Helen’s Flower
Helianthus False Sunflower
Hespersis Dame’s Rocket
Indigofera Indigo Bush
Lathyrus Sweet Pea
Linaria Toadflax
Liatris Gayfeather
Lupinus Lupine
Mimulus Monkey Flower
Mirabilis Desert Four O’Clock
Monarda Bee Balm
Penstemon Beardtongue
Phlox Garden Phlox
Prunella Loveliness
Oenothera Evening Primrose
Rumex Dock
Sedum Stonecrop
Solidago Goldenrod
Sphaeralcea Globemallow
Thermopsis Gold Banner
Trifolium Clover
Viola Violet
Grasses
Botanical Common
Andropogon Big Bluestem
Bouteloua Blue Grama Grass
Elymus Wild Rye
Festuca Fescue
Panicum Switch Grass
Stipa Feather Grass
Annuals
Botanical Common
Lobularia Sweet Alyssum
Amaranthus Amaranth
Bidens Bidens
Celosia Cockscomb
Cleome Spider Flower
Cosmos Cosmos
Tagetes Marigold
Tropaeolum Nasturtium
Nicotiana Flowering Tobacco
Petunia Petunia
Antirrhinum Snapdragon
Verbena Verbena
Zinnia Zinnia
Shrubs and Vines
Botanical Common
Amelanchier Serviceberry
Azalea Azalea
Buddlejia Butterfly Bush
Cercocarpus Mountain Mahogany
Holodiscus Mountain Spray
Juniperus osteosperma Utah Juniper
Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain Juniper
Lespedeza Bush Clover
Lonicera Honeysuckle
Passiflora incarnata Maypop Passion Flower
Purshia Cliffrose
Ribes Currant
Rosea Rose
Shepherdia Buffaloberry
Symphocarpos Snowberry
Syringa Lilac
Wisteria Wisteria
Trees
Botanical Common
Betula Birch
Gleditsia Honeylocust
Populus Poplar
Prunus Cherry Family
Quercus gambellii Scrub Oak
Robinia Locust
Salix Willow
Vegetables and Herbs

Allium

Borage

Cabbage

Carrot

Cucumber

Dill

Grapes

Legumes (Especially Beans and Peas)

Melon

Mint

Parsley

Potato

Tomato

Miscellaneous

Alfalfa

Amaranth

Clover

Dandelion

Dogbane

Mallow

Mustard

Nettle

Purslane

Queen Ann’s Lace

Thistle

Vetch

General Tips
  • Plant in groups. Several of one species en mass is more effective.
  • Include a range of bloom times, spring to fall, to ensure a consistent supply of nectar.
  • Include plants for caterpillars. Host plants are intended for the caterpillars to eat. You’ll need to tolerate some holes.
  • Never use pesticides.
  • Provide a basking spot such as a rock in full sun.
  • Provide drinking spots. butterflies cannot drink from open water. Mud puddles, wet sand, or sponges can all provide a place to drink. Include perches such as pebbles and sticks.
  • Tolerate some untidiness and leave some preferred weeds.