Hi, Like many others on this forum, it can be hard to figure out what to keep and get rid of because butterflies seem to change their preferences every year. The yarrow--I have a lot of it, but I don't seem to get a lot of butterflies on it. Sometimes skippers and a lot of other pollinators. Purple coneflower--that one last year did really well--years before didn't attract so many butterflies. It may be that I now have more of it. I do have other varieties, and like you, they don't seem to be that attractive to the butterflies. I have a nepeta too, but that seems to attract only skippers, which I don't mind, so I keep it. It's in a bed that gets really dry. I use those zinnias that you use, but I want to try Zowie Flame (I think it is) because of MissSherry's picture. :) Clematis, never saw any butterflies nectaring, but plenty landing on it. Just now there was a litter hummer hanging out on a loop of it; I have clematis growing up the railings on my porch. Anyway, there are so many plants you can put in that if over a couple of years you don't seen anything on it, then I would probably replace them. There are so many plants that are sure draws (like verbena bonariensis and mexican sunflower, cosmos, etc.). Don't forget fall nectar like asters. Have fun redesigning your garden!

bernergrrl, This is a GREAT post. Many butterfly gardeners are not aware of the needs of butterflies beyond nectar and host plants. Many of my suggestions will not be usable for some/many butterfly gardeners because we have a one-acre butterfly sanctuary in a wooded area, but here goes: provide water source(s) leave brush piles and wood piles for protection from rain and for overwintering. leave as many trees around your garden as possible to protect butterflies from strong winds/rain/etc. provide stones, boulders, gravel in places that get good sun for warming spots for butterflies. clear spider webs from your garden to prevent butterflies from being caught and release butterflies that are caught in webs. try for multiple planting levels as various species seek out different levels. consider planting various grasses suitable to some butterflies as host plants. leave some trees IN your garden, if possible. In addition to the tree uses mentioned above, some butterflies like emperors, angle wings, wood nymphs, etc. use the bark as hiding places, places to bask in the sun, and lookout spots. provide feeder plates of rotting fruit, etc. to attract butterflies that don't nectar or don't nectar exclusively.

Hi Gardenwebers, I am looking for seeds of your best nectar and host plants in your gardens. You see, i am trying to attract butterflies found not in my area of the LRGV (Lower Rio Grande Valley) of Texas but are found right outside it. I was wondering what everyone's opoinion was about their best nectar and host plants. If anyone can share some seeds with me for an SASE or SASBE and I can grow them maybe I can attract the butterflies. The butterflies are: Eastern Tiger Sallowtail Two Tailed Swallowtail Red Spotted Purple Viceroy Mourning Cloak Ruby Spotted Swallowtail Zebra Swallowtail Harvester ( I know they feed of aphids but what plant would do good for getting them) Garcia Tiger Swallowtail Spicebush Swallowtail Palamedes Swallowtail Polydamas Swallowtail AND MORE. I am looking for the best nectar and host plants for them(all butterflies). Here is the link to a page with all the host plants. Note- It does NOT list all nectar plants. Plus I am looking for nectar plants of all over Texas and the U.S. Same goes for hosts. Thank-you, Danny

sorry about this double