Butterfly host and nectar plant guide for New Jersey Zone 7

 

Gardening for butterflies can be a very relaxing and rewarding hobby. All it takes is knowledge of correct butterfly host plants and nectar plants, a shovel, an open piece of land with sun a sprinkler and some creativity. Below you will find a list of several plants to help you get started on your masterpiece. HAVE FUN!!!

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QUICK GARDEN DEFINITIONS

Perennial -       A plant that returns year after year with no need to replant

Annual -           A plant that must be replanted every year

Border -           The front of you garden

Mid-ground -   The middle of your garden

Background -   The back of you garden

 Butterfly Bush, Buddleia davidii

This beautiful purple flowering shrub Will bring joy to your butterfly garden. It is a prime nectar source and releases a sweet honey like scent. It blooms early summer into mid/late fall. It is a fast grower, but easily kept to size. Be sure to plant this shrub as a back of the garden plant where it can grow. Average size is 5 feet wide by 7 feet high. This perennial requires 3-4 hours of sunlight for best blooming.

 

Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea

This beautiful perennial has a charm unlike any other flower. It blooms early summer into fall. It reaches for the skies on long 24"-36" stems swaying in the wind with the slightest breeze. There are many variations in color and size on the market, but the "purple" seems to hold as the best nectar source for butterflies. Plant this plant as a mid-ground plant or as a boarder breaker. This perennial will perform best in 2-4 hours of sunlight.

Joe-pye Weed, Eupatorium purpureum

Joe-pye weed is an interesting perennial. It blooms mid summer into the fall. Joe-pye grows to around 6 1/2'-7' high and attracts many pollinating insects. Aside from butterflies, you are always bound to find an insect or bug you may have never seen before that will make you want to keep a camera nearby. When the flower heads die, prune them off for smaller blooms down the stem.Place this perennial at the back of your garden, or be creative with how and where you place it. This plant requires around 3 hours of sunlight

Milkweed, Asclepias

There are several forms of milkweed available on the market. Some are perennial and some are annual. Despite which type you may choose to grow this plant serves as two plants in one. Not only is it a great nectar source, but it is also the host plant for the Monarch butterfly. Milkweed is a simple but beautiful plant ranging in size from 10"-4' high. A nice cluster of these plants here and there will add both beauty and insight to the Monarch life cycle. This plant also is the host plant for a few bugs and beetles, but they usually leave the monarch caterpillars alone. This plant performs best in 2-4 hours of sunlight.

Pentas, Pentas

Pentas come in many colors due to hybridization. All have a source of nectar, but the best performer is the old-fassion classic red penta. This is a medium mounding annual that grows around 12"-20" high. It performs best if spent blooms are deadheaded to encourage new blooms. It is a summer bloomer and performs very well as a mid-ground or border planting. This is a full sun annual requiring at least 4 hours of direct sun.

Tall Brazilian Verbena, Verbena bonariensis

This is another plant that will bring joy to your butterfly garden. This tender perennial is a self-seeding plant that looks beautiful no matter where it pops up. the flower heads are on long slender 24"-36" stems with spreading stems near the top. Plant this as a mid-ground plant, or closer to the border for contrast in color and texture. Requires 3-4 hours of sunlight.