How To Attract Butterflies: Plants that bring more life to your landscape

Butterflies are the inspiration of the insect world. Their color, beauty and graceful movements have excited children and adults alike for centuries. In addition to having an abundant landscape, there are a few things you can do to help attract butterflies for your enjoyment. 

Provide Food 

Treat your butterflies like a house guest and offer them something to eat for every stage of their life. Butterflies are not only attracted to bright colors, but also nectar-rich plants such as Lantana, Verbena and Zinnias. Additionally, you’ll want to plant “host-plants” that serve as caterpillar food such as Hackberry, False Nettle and Pipevine Shallowtail.  

Pick a Prime Area 

Butterflies prefer sunny areas with shelter from the elements. It’s best to choose areas with several trees that still maintain 4-6 hours of sunlight a day. 

Avoid Pesticides 

It may go without saying, but using pesticides in your garden will harm caterpillars. While you may want to rid your garden of other pests, it’s important to remember that caterpillars will one day be a beautiful member of your garden ecosystem. 

If attracting wildlife, particularly butterflies, is important to your landscape, talk to our design team during the design process.