Download a garden for butterflies - Texas Discovery Gardens

A GARDEN
FOR
BUTTERFLIES
Presented by
TEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS
“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. 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 at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 214‐428‐7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org BUTTERFLY NECTAR PLANTS SEASON OF BLOOM SPRING ANNUALS Delphinium sp. Petunia x hybrida Viola sp. Zinnia spp. PERENNIALS Achillea sp. Allium sp. Camassia scilloides Centranthus ruber Dalea wrightii Dianthus sp. Engelmannia pinnatifida Gaillardia sp. Iberis sempervirens Marshallia caespitosa Phlox divaricata Phlox stolonifera Phlox sublata Phyla nodiflora Salvia sp. Scabiosa columbaria Sisyrinchium spp. Verbena spp. Viola sp. SHRUBS Berberis trifoliolata Buddleia marrubiifolia Ceanothus sp. Cornus drummondii Itea virginica Philadelphus spp. Prunus rivularis Spiraea sp. Viburnum rufidulum TREES Amelanchier laevis Larkspur Petunia Johnny Jump Ups Zinnia Yarrow Chives, Onions Wild Hyacinth Red Valerian Wright Dalea Garden Pinks, Carnations Engelmann Daisy Blanket‐flower Candytuft Barbara’s Buttons Wild Sweet William Creeping Phlox Thrift Frog‐fruit Salvia Scabiosa Blue‐eyed Grass Verbena Pansies, Violets Agarita Woolly Butterfly‐bush Ceanothus, Red‐root Rough‐leaf Dogwood Virginia Sweetspire Mock‐orange Creek Plum Bridal Wreath Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum Serviceberry Texas Discovery Gardens • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard 214‐428‐7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org Arbutus texana Crataegus sp. Ilex decidua Ilex vomitoria Malus ioenensis Prunus caroliniana Prunus mexicana Prunus serotina var. eximia VINES Gelsemium sempervirens Lonicera sempervirens Madrone Hawthorn Possumhaw Yaupon Prairie Crabapple Cherry Laurel Mexican Plum Choke Cherry Carolina‐jessamine Coral Honeysuckle SUMMER ANNUALS Centaurium sp. Cosmos sp. Cuphea sp. Gomphrena globosa Helianthus sp. Heliotropium indica Melampodium leucanthum Monarda sp. Pentas lanceolata Tagetes hybrids Tithonia rotundifolia Verbesina enceloides Zinnia hybrids PERENNIALS Anisacanthus sp. Asclepias sp. Caesalpinia gilliesii Coreopsis sp. Echinacea purpurea Eupatorium fistulosum Eupatorium greggii Lantana sp. Liatris sp. Lobelia sp. Phlox paniculata Rudbeckia sp. Salvia sp. Verbena sp. Vernonia sp. SHRUBS Abelia grandiflora Bachelor Buttons Cosmos Cuphea Globe Amaranth Sunflowers Heliotrope Blackfoot Daisy Bee Balm Pentas Marigold Mexican Sunflower Cowpen Daisy Zinnia Anisacanthus Butterfly Weed Bird of Paradise Coreopsis, Tickseed Coneflower Joe Pye‐weed Gregg’s Mist Thoroughwort Lantana Gayfeather Cardinal Flower Summer Phlox Black‐eye Susan Salvia Verbena Ironweed Glossy Abelia Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
214-428-7476 • www.TexasDiscoveryGardens.org
Aloysia gratissima Amorpha fruticosa Buddleia sp. Cephalanthus occidentalis Eysenhardtia sp. Leucophyllum frutescens Malvaviscus arboreus Pavonia lasiopetala TREES Acacia sp. Albizia julibrissin Leucaena retusa Prosopis glandulosa VINES Polygonum aubertii Senecio confusus Bee‐brush False Indigo Butterfly Bush Buttonbush Kidneywood Cenizo, Texas Sage Turks Cap, Drummond Wax‐mallow Rose Pavonia Acacia Mimosa Golden Ball Lead‐tree Honey Mesquite Silver Lace Vine Mexican Flame Vine FALL ANNUALS Heliopsis healianthoides PERENNIALS Aster sp. Chrysanthemum sp. Eupatorium coelestinum Physostegia virginiana Salvia leucantha Salvia sp. Sedum spectabile Solidago sphacelata Verbesina virginiana Zephyranthes robusta Zephyranthes sulphurea SHRUBS Buddleia lindleyana Eupatorium havanense Eupatorium odoratum VINES Clematis paniculata Passiflora sp. False Sunflower Fall Aster Chrysanthemums Hardy Ageratum Obedient Plant Mexican Bush Sage Salvia Showy Sedum Goldenrod Frostweed Pink Rain Lily Yellow Rain Lily Butterfly Bush Thoroughwort Fragrant Eupatorium Sweet Autumn Clematis 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 Zinnia hybrids Zinnia Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park • 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
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 X on 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.
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
Host and Nectar Plants for Butterflies
Latin Name
Common Name
Type
Height
Light
Origin
Bloom
Nectar
Yes
Yes
Yes
Host Plant for
Abelia grandiflora
Acacia wrightii
Allium spp.
Althaea zebrina
Glossy Abelia
Wright Acacia
Chives
French Hollyhock
shrub
tree
perennial
perennial
8'
6'-10'
8"+
3'
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
non-native
native
non-native
non-native
Jun-Oct
Apr-May
May-Jun
Spr-Fall
Amorpha fruticosa
Anisacanthus quadrifidus
Anethum graveolens
Aristolochia fimbriata
Aristolochia tomentosa
Asclepias asperula
Ascelepias curassavica
Aslepias incarnata
Asclepias viridis
Berberis trifoliata
Buddleia davidii
Caesalpinia gillesii
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Cercis canadensis
False Indigo
Flame Acanthus
Dill
Pipevine
Woolly Pipevine
Antelope-Horns
Mexican Milkweed
Swamp Milkweed
Green Milkweed
Agarito
Butterfly Bush
Bird of Paradise
Buttonbush
Redbud
shrub
perennial
annual
vine
vine
perennial
annual
perennial
perennial
shrub
shrub
shrub
shrub
tree
2'-15'
2'-4'
18"
3'-6'
to 50'
8"-2'
3'
5'
2'
3'-6'
3'-12'
8'-10'
3'-15'
10'-20'
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun
sun
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun
sun/pt shade
native
native
non-native
non-native
native
native
native
non-native
native
native
non-native
native
native
native
Apr-June
June-Fall
May-July
Jun-Sep
Mar-May
Mar-Nov
May-Oct
May-Jun
Mar-Sep
Mar-Apr
May-Frost
Spr-Fall
Jun-Sep
March
Chasmanthium latifolium
Clerodendrum bungei
Coreopsis sp.
Dalea greggii
Dalea frutescens
Dicliptera bracheata
Dicliptera suberecta
Diospyros texana
Inland Sea Oats
Cashmere Bouquet
Tickseed
Dalea
Black Dalea
Perennial Dicliptera
Velvet Honeysuckle
Texas Persimmon
Coneflower
Gregg's Mist Flower
Apache Plume
Fennel
Blanket Flower
Globe Amaranthus
Standing Cypress
Lantana
Coral Honeysuckle
perennial
2'-4'
perennial
5'x4'
perennial
1'-2'
perennial
4"-9"
perennial
3'-4'
perennial
14"-28"
perennial
2'-3tree
10'-15'
perennial
2'
perennial
8"
shrub
6'
biennial/pere 2'-5'
per/annual
1'
annual
18"
biennia
5'
per/annual
3'-5'
vine
10'plus
shade/pt shade
pt/shade-shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun
pt/shade-shade
sun
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun
sun
sun/pt shade
Celia's Roadside Skipper, Common
native
Summer
Roadside Skipper
non-native
May,Oct
Yes
Yes
native/hybrids Apr-June
native
May-Sep
Yes
Dog Face
native
June-Oct
Yes
Dog Face
native
July-Frost
Texas Crescentspot
native
June-Sep
Yes
Gray Hairstreak
native
Early Spring
native
Apr-May
Yes
native
May-Oct
Yes
native
May-Dec
Yes
non-native
May-June
Yes
Black Swallowtail
native
Apr-May
Yes
non-native
Spr-Frost
Yes
native
Apr-May
Yes
native
May-Oct
Yes
Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
native
Spr-Fall
Yes
Spring Azure
Copyright T.Dombrowski, Texas Discovery Gardens, 2005
Eupatorium greggii
Fallugia paradoxa
Foeniculum vulgare
Gaillardia grandiflora
Gomphrena globosa
Ipomopsis rubra
Lantana spp.
Lonicera sempervirens
Silver-Spotted Skipper
Painted Lady
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Gray Hairstreak, Silver-Spotted Skipper,
Hoary Edge, Cloudy Wing, Dogface
Janais Patch, Texas Crescentspot
Black Swallowtail
Pipevine Swallowtail
Pipevine Swallowtail
Monarch,Queen
Monarch, Queen
Monarch, Queen
Monarch, Queen
Henry's Elfin
Host and Nectar Plants for Butterflies
Latin Name
Lythrum salicaria
Common Name
Purple Loosestrife
Type
perennial
Height
Light
3'
sun/pt shade
Medicago sativa
Alfalfa
perennial
3'
Melampodium leucanthemum
Monarda didyma
Passiflora caerulea
Passiflora incarnata
Passiflora x 'Incense'
Pentas lanceolata
Petroselinum crispum
Philadelphus ernestii
Phlox paniculata
Phyla nodiflora
Physostegia virginiana
Blackfoot Daisy
Beebalm
Blue Crown
Maypop
Passionvine
Pentas
Parsley
TX Mock Orange
Phlox
Frogfruit
Obedient Plant
perennial
perennial
vine
vine
vine
annual
biennial
shrub
perennial
perennial
perennial
8"-1'
3'x3'
10'plus
10'plus
12'
18"
1'-3'
3'
3'
3"x1'
3'-4'
Polanisia dodecandra
Clammyweed
annual
Prosopis juliflora
Mesquite
Prunus rivularis
Prunus serotina
Ptelea trifoliata
Rhus aromatica
Rudbeckia spp.
Ruellia brittoniana
Ruta graveolens
Salvia greggii
Sedum spectabile
Senna alata
Senna corymbosa
Thymus spp.
Tithonia rotundifolia
Ungnadia speciosa
Verbena spp.
Verbesina virginica
Viola spp.
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Zinnia spp.
Creek Plum
Black Cherry
Hop Ash
Fragrant Sumac
Black-eyed Susan
Mexican Petunia
Rue
Autumn Sage
Sedum
Emperor's Candlestick
Argentine Senna
Thyme
Mexican Sunflower
Mexican Buckeye
Verbena
Frostweed
Violet
Hercule's Club
Zinnia
Nectar
Yes
Host Plant for
Origin
native
Bloom
June-Aug
sun/pt shade
non-native
April
sun
sun
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun/shade
sun/pt shade
native
non-native
non-native
native
hybrid
non-native
non-native
native
native
native
native
May-Nov
Jun-Jul
Jun-Sep
Jun-Sep
May-Sep
Sp-Fall
Spr-Fall
April
June-Aug
Spr-Fall
Aug-Sep
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
sun
native
Mar-Oct
Yes
tree
20'-30' sun
native
Mar-Sept
Yes
tree
tree
tree
shrub
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
perennial
annual
perennial
perennial
annual
tree
perennial
perennial
perennial
tree
annual
12'
60'
24'
3'-8'
2'-12'
3'
3'x2'
2'-3'
1'-2'
10'
10'
2"-4"
3'
8'-12'
6"-1'
3'-7'
6"-12"
15'
8"-12"
native
native
native
native
native/non-na
native
non-native
native
non-native
non-native
non-native
non-native
non-native
native
both
native
both
native
non-native
Mar-Apr
Yes
Tiger Swallowtail, Red Spotted Purple
Mar-Apr
Yes
Spring Azure, Viceroy, Tiger Swallowtail
Mar-June
Giant Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtail
Feb-Mar
Red-banded Hairstreak
Jun-Sep
Yes
Silvery Checkerspot
June-Oct
Yes
Texas Crescentspot
Sep-Oct
Giant Swallowtail, Black Swallowtail
Apr-Nov
Yes
July-Nov
Yes
Gray Hairstreak
Aug-Oct
Cloudless Sulfur,, GraygHairstreak p ,
Sleepy Orange
Sep-Nov
Mar-May
Yes
June-Oct
Yes
Mar-Apr
Yes
May-Nov
Yes
Oct-Nov
Yes
April
Variegated Fritillary
Apr-May
Giant Swallowtail
May-Oct
Yes
Copyright T.Dombrowski, Texas Discovery Gardens, 2005
2'
sun/pt shade
sun
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun
sun
sun/pt shade
sun/pt shade
sun
sun/pt shade
sun
sun
sun/pt shade
sun
sun
Dogface, Orange Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak,
Painted Lady
Yes
Yes
Gulf Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary
Gulf Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary
Gulf Fritillary, Variegated Fritillary
Tersa Sphinx Moth
Black Swallowtail
Buckeye, Phaon Crescent
Cabbage White, Great Southern White
Longtail Skipper, Reakirt's Blue,
Ceraunus Blue
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 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 1‐800‐274‐7333 Shades of Green 8801 Coit Road, Frisco, Texas 972‐335‐9095 Weston Gardens 8101 Anglin Drive Fort Worth, Texas 76410 817‐572‐0549 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 0-87719243-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 Field Guide. 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
Month-Day-Year
Time/Location
Butterfly (egg/larvae/pupa)
Activity/Plant
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park. 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
214-428-7476. www.texasdiscoverygardens.org
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.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
1
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) ___________________________________
2
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.
3