Hospitable Hosts

As we begin planning our garden, why not make some additions to bring beautiful butterflies? While monarchs enjoy munching on milkweed, there are other plants that can bring more diversity to your garden.

Milkweed

The first sprouts of milkweed have begun to emerge in the Waystation, and monarchs won't be too far behind. In my garden, I have noticed that they have a preference; who knew those caterpillars were such picky eaters! Of 5 varieties, they really enjoy munching on my Showy, Whorled, and Swamp milkweeds. You can find them occasionally on Common Milkweed and Butterfly Weed, but if those others are present? I hope you have a lot!

Where to plant

Recent studies have shown that planting milkweed on the edges of your gardens is more effective at attracting monarchs. Each variety will have its own unique growing conditions.

Baptisia, False Indigo

An absolute favorite of bumblebees, Baptisia, or False/Wild Indigo, is a host plant to several butterflies and moths. The most common I've seen is the Wild Indigo Duskywing; a skipper butterfly. 

Where to Plant

This plant is quite structured and shrub-like, so it's an excellent anchor plant in a full-sun bed.

Dill, Parsley, Fennel, and more

So what's the big dill? The Eastern Black Swallowtail! Their caterpillars enjoy eating dill, fennel, and parsley leaves, so if I intend to actually use some of these herbs for cooking, I plant a special pot up just for them further away. They also like native plants like Golden Alexander.

Where to plant

Wherever you don't mind them munching. Also, dill and fennel can cross-pollinate, so avoid planting these two together.

Violets and Violas

I'll admit, for a while I was so annoyed with the violets that would pop up in the lawn. I'd even dig them up and plant them elsewhere! Even though they get a bad rap for being weedy, Common Blue Violets are a critical host plant for Fritillary butterflies and an important nectar source for the specialized mining bee.

Where to plant

It isn't already growing in your lawn?

I could go on and on, but I have a garden to plant. See you Saturday!