Plants That Attract

Butterfly nectar species These are plants that adult butterflies use as their food source.  The large number of plants that butterflies are known to use as nectar species simply prohibits a comprehensive and fully accurate continental list to be developed.  However, I have listed as many species as reasonable to provide an accurate account of butterfly nectar plants for all areas of the continent.  It is not surprising that many of these plants grow in cultivation, but many more grow natively in open fields, meadows, and along open border areas.   In establishing a butterfly-use garden, be sure to plant individuals of various species in sufficient quantities to attract butterflies and to ensure that ample nectar is available.  Also, be sure to select a suite of species from genera that flower continually throughout the growing season to ensure a constant food source.  Remember also that the plant species listed may not necessarily be useful to all butterflies in all areas of the country.  Butterflies, like other organisms, exhibit regional food preferences.  Although flower color selection varies from species to species, purple, followed by yellow, appears to be the one most highly selected. This differs from the flower color selected by most hummingbirds, which are primarily red and orange (see "Hummingbird species" below).   Honey bee and pollen plants Plants that are reported to have value to bees for nectar or honey or both.  Honey plants are plants that yield nectar in sufficient amounts so that edible honey above the needs of the bees will be available for removal, or plants that yield at least some nectar but do not necessarily supply a surplus of removable honey.   Hummingbird species Plants that produce showy flowers that attract hummingbirds.  Also see "Butterfly nectar species" above.