Here in upstate New York we often see swallowtails (tiger, black, and giant) with their bold color patterns and distinctively shaped hind wings. A painted lady butterfly perched on chive flowers. Just what you’ll see depends on your location. Most adult butterflies will visit a wide variety of flowering herbs. What Types of Butterflies Are Attracted to Herbs

Thyme also offers nectar and attracts butterflies. Tarragon-at least French tarragon-is a host plant for Oregon Swallowtail caterpillars. Plain culinary sage is also a nectar source. These include cherry sage, pineapple sage, scarlet sage, blue sage, and anise-scented sage. However, many specialized salvia and sage varieties with shorter blossoms are highly attractive to butterflies. The editor of Butterfly Gardens Quarterly says varieties with deep tube-shaped flowers will attract hummingbirds but not butterflies. Salvia, the ornamental form of sage, is a highly attractive nectar plant. Parsley is a host plant for black swallowtail and anise swallowtail caterpillars Mint of various kinds is also a good nectar source and a host for Painted Lady and White Peacock butterflies as well as Gray Hairstreaks. Mountain mint, Pycnanthemum virginianum, is said to be a particular favorite of butterflies and other pollinators because of its many flowers and long bloom time. Lemon balm is a nectar source and also a host plant for the caterpillars of the White Peacock butterfly. Butterfly Gardeners Quarterly reports that English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, seems more attractive to butterflies than Spanish lavender, L. Lavender is a nectar plant for many types of butterflies. Hyssop is a nectar plant as well as a culinary herb. The plant will die if you let it go to seed, but you can let it bloom for the butterflies and then cut it back before the seeds mature.īorage is a nectar plant for various species and also a host plant for Painted Lady butterfliesĬhive blossoms are good nectar sources, though you’ll get better harvests of culinary chives if you cut the flowers off.Įchinacea, also known as coneflower, is a nectar plant that attracts many types of butterflies.įennel is a host plant for black swallowtail and anise swallowtail caterpillars. It is also a nectar plant when it blooms Perennial Herbs to Grow Year Round Perennial herbs like chives are a powerful attractant for butterflies.Īngelica is a nectar plant when it goes to flower in its second year. Both German and Roman chamomile are visited by butterflies.Ĭilantro is a host plant for black swallowtail caterpillars as well as a nectar plant.ĭill is a host plant for black swallowtail and anise swallowtail caterpillars as well as for other beneficial insects. List of Herbs to Include in Your Butterfly Garden Annual Herbs To Plant in the Spring or Summerīasil can be a nectar plant if you let it bloom, though you’ll get the best-flavored leaves by pinching the flower heads off.Ĭalendula, sometimes grown as a medicinal herb, is also an attractive nectar plant for butterflies.Ĭhamomile is a nectar plant as well as a tea herb.

These give me something to stand or sit on as I work, But when I’m not on them I often see butterflies spread out flat against the stone, soaking up warmth and sunlight. I have flat rocks set out at intervals in my herb garden. Some Extension articles suggest a simpler setup-a plain clay saucer.īutterflies prefer sunny gardens. The pebbles provide perches from which the butterflies can safely drink. I encourage butterflies to come to my garden by setting out a shallow container filled with pebbles and mostly covered with water. Butterflies enjoying fruit set out on a feeder in the garden. In addition to food, butterflies need warmth, light, and water. Pink, purple, orange, yellow, and red flowers are especially attractive to butterflies. Large flat blossoms, or clusters of short tubular flowers, work best for butterflies, giving them space to perch as they feed. Nectar plants are also included in the list that follows. The list below includes herbs that are host plants for various caterpillars.Īdult butterflies feed on the nectar in blossoms.

Many caterpillars are specialized feeders, able to live on only a few types of plants. What Do Butterflies Need?Ĭaterpillars need plenty of leafy material to eat.

Read on to learn more about the herbs that will attract the most beautiful butterflies to your garden.

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