Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
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.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - February 05, 2016
From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Butterfly Gardens
Title: Making a perennial cutting garden friendly to butterflies.
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I would like to start a perennial cutting garden friendly to butterflies Where can I get a list of plants .ANSWER:
Please visit our Special Collections page where you will find two links to lists of plants that are especially attractive to butterflies:
- Butterflies and Moths of North America is a list of larval and nectar plants for butterflies and moths in North America
- Ann and O. J. Weber Butterfly Garden is a list of butterfly plants that have been part of the Wildflower Center's butterfly garden.
- National Butterfly Center has a list of butterfly plants for South Texas.
On both lists you can use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option in the sidebar to pick plants with your criteria. Pick "Texas" from the SELECT STATE OR PROVINCE slot and "Perennial" from the LIFESPAN slot. You can also narrow the results by using other criteria such as GENERAL APPEARANCE, LIGHT REQUIREMENT, BLOOM TIME, etc.
I chose several perennial shrubs that are native to Texas and will bloom in April:
and several herbaceous perennials native to Texas that bloom in September:
- Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
- Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
- Ruellia drummondiana (Drummond's ruellia)
There are many more for you to choose from on the three lists.
From the Image Gallery
More Butterfly Gardens Questions
Early nectar blooms for Monarch butterflies from Austin
May 04, 2014 - Could you tell me any early spring blooming nectar plants that monarchs will nectar from. I'm specifically looking for bloom times in March and early April.
I have plenty of May blooms but not ...
view the full question and answer
Non-toxic plants for dog yard from Freeport PA
June 24, 2012 - I'm looking for wildlife-friendly native plants that aren't toxic to dogs. I have a place for some small shrubs and/or flowers. And a climbing vine that I could train on a trellis would work espec...
view the full question and answer
Butterfly/hummingbird garden plants for Hill Country, TX
February 04, 2011 - What drought resistant plants would you recommend for a Hill Country butterfly/hummingbird garden that receives at least a half day of sun? It has afternoon exposure.
view the full question and answer
Milkweed recommendations for Austin, TX
October 20, 2014 - I live on thin limestone soil in Austin's NW Hills. I'd like to plant some milkweed to help the monarch butterflies in their migration. Which species should I plant, and are those available in our...
view the full question and answer
Landscaping from Wilmington NC
December 22, 2012 - I plan on moving to Belmont NC in the next couple of years and settling down with my future wife in her home town. I am a huge do it yourself person. I love to make things from scratch, including buil...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |