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
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - December 13, 2012
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Butterfly Gardens, Deer Resistant, Herbs/Forbs, Shrubs, Wildflowers
Title: Texas natives that attract butterflies but not deer
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
I'd like to have some plants in my garden that are butterfly attractors, but that whitetail deer won't like. I can find lists of butterfly plants, and lists of deer-resistant plants -- is there a list that combines these two parameters in one list? I live just north of San Antonio city limits. Thank you.ANSWER:
I do not know of a listing of just the properties that you desire. But there are pertinent lists, such as the Landscapes Plants listing prepared by the City of Austin. Deer-resistant plants are indicated in this extensive plant list, and in the Comments column those species frequented by butterflies are shown. Shrubs, forbs, vines, and even grasses are included. Some of those plants are listed below as descriptions from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database. At the bottom of some of these descriptions you will find the species of butterflies that are drawn to the plant.
Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana), Buddleja marrubiifolia (Woolly butterflybush),Malvaviscus arboreus (Turkscap),Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed), Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem), Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf coreopsis), Gaura lindheimeri (Lindheimer's beeblossom), Packera obovata (Golden groundsel), Echinacea purpurea (Eastern purple coneflower), Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage), Achillea millefolium (Common yarrow)and Passiflora incarnata (Purple passionflower). Images of these species are shown below.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Should Mexican milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) not be used to attract Monarch butterflies?
November 20, 2015 - Should I remove Asclepias curassavica (Mexican milkweed) in my garden for threat of OE parasitic protozoan threat to Monarch butterflies? Is this threat as widespread as Chronicle implies? I had great...
view the full question and answer
Information about Cedar Sage from Austin
March 11, 2011 - I am new to the Austin area and was wondering about cedar sage (salvia roemeriana). Is this plant considered aromatic, non-aromatic of chia? And, other than the edible flower are other parts of the ...
view the full question and answer
First wildflower to bloom in Madison Ohio
February 01, 2009 - What is the first wildflower to bloom in spring in Madison, Ohio 44057. Is it the snowdrop?
view the full question and answer
Evergreen tree for planter in Sherman Oaks CA
November 11, 2010 - We have a large cinder block planter, 6ftx6ftx6ft,in the back of our building and would love to find a good evergreen accent tree (but not pine like). Planter is near a building so preferable it shoul...
view the full question and answer
Overwintering Cardinal Flower in Thornwood NY
October 01, 2009 - I have 6 Cardinal Flower plants in planters. They have mulch on top to keep them moist. Can they stay in the planters all winter? Do I cut the stalks before winter comes or leave as is?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |