Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Wednesday - May 09, 2012
From: Mosheim, TN
Region: Southeast
Topic: Butterfly Gardens
Title: Butterfly garden for TN
Answered by: Anne Bossart
QUESTION:
Hello! I recently moved into a new house near Mosheim, Tennessee (37818) and I am wanting to start a butterfly garden. I am requesting information how to get this started. What soil, plants, and flowers would work best and attract the biggest variety of butterflies (even bees). I am also planning on installing a garden pond for a source of water. I would also like to see praying mantis' come around too. If you could help me, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!ANSWER:
A garden for butterflies and other pollinator does not just provide habitat for very important species that are struggling to survive; it will become a very special place for humans and other wildlife as well, especially once you provide the most essential element for life: water.
As you begin the planning process you will find our How To article on Butterfly gardening very helpful. It explains all the necessary elements of a natural habitat for butterflies and has an extensive bibliography. You will also find a number of articles on gardening for butterflies and other wildlife on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's website. They also publish a very helpful guide "The Wildlife Gardener's Guide" that would be worth purchasing. You can also visit the National Wildlife Federation website for information about their Backyard Habitat program.
Although it is not possible to search our Native Plant database specifically for butterfly plants, there are a number of places to find lists of recommended plants. If you do an internet search entering the words "plants for a butterfly garden for Tennessee", there are quite a few articles specific to your area that pop up. A visit to your local agricultural extension office will likely yield an information sheet with regional specific plant information and there is a Middle Tennessee Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association whose website is a wealth of information.
When gardening for butterflies, one must provide food for caterpillars as well as adults. Here are some recommended plants for your region.
Host Plants for Caterpillars
Baptisia australis (Blue wild indigo)
Chelone glabra (White turtlehead)
Eurybia divaricata (White wood aster)
Passiflora incarnata (Purple passionflower)
Solidago rugosa (Wrinkleleaf goldenrod)
Nectar Plants for Adults
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
Clethra alnifolia (Coastal sweet pepperbush)
Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower)
Eupatorium purpureum (Purple joepyeweed)
Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf coneflower)
From the Image Gallery
More Butterfly Gardens Questions
How toxic are milkweed (Asclepias spp.)?
November 01, 2011 - We are considering a monarch waystation for our local elementary and are concerned about milkweed toxicity. Would it be safe to plant it in reach of children?
view the full question and answer
Transplanting butterfly weed in Hamden OH
July 10, 2009 - I have tried transplanting butterfly weed from it's native location to my yard and each time the plant wilts and dies.
Any suggestions?
view the full question and answer
Landscaping plans in Kyle TX
February 12, 2012 - I am starting from scratch in a backyard (approx. 52'x25')in Central Texas (Kyle). The backyard is on the north side of the single story house. I would like to have plants and trees that attract and...
view the full question and answer
Butterfly Plants for D.C. Garden
July 16, 2015 - I have one half of the side of the house face NE and the other half faces NW. The front of the house faces east. The back of the house faces west which is woody with native trees of Rock Creek Park of...
view the full question and answer
Purple Passionflower as a native in Charlottesville VA
September 18, 2013 - Is it possible to grow purple passion flower as a perennial in zone 7? I am looking for hummers and butterflies to be attracted by the plant.
Thank you.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |