Everybody loves butterflies, but not every garden attracts them. Use these tips from Northwest Louisiana Master Gardener Mike Livingston to increase your chances of luring them in.
Butterflies like a sunny spot sheltered from the wind and large swaths of plants of different heights, colors, shapes and species. Provide a "puddling" area where they can get water and salt and at least two host plants.
Host plants:
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Passionvine (Passiflora incarnata)
Rue (Rue graveolens)
Fennel (Foeniculum)
Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
Pipevine (Aristolochia fimbriata)
Nectar plants
Abelia (Abelia grandiflora)
Agastache foeniculum (Anise hyssop)
Blanket flower (Gaillardia)
Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
Butterfly penta (Pentas lanceolata)
Purple coneflower (Echinacea)
Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium)
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Phlox (various)
Porterweed (Stachytarpheta)
Mexican sunflower (Tithonia)
Verbena (various)
Zinnia (various)