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
Sunday - April 19, 2009
From: Berrien Springs, MI
Region: Midwest
Topic: Wildlife Gardens
Title: Plants for Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies in Michigan
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I am wanting to raise Painted Lady butterflies and release them into my garden. I know that they like to eat Mallow plants, but I was wondering what kind of Mallow plant would be best for my garden?ANSWER:
Vanessa cardui (Painted Lady) butterflies have certainly been recorded in Berrien County, Michigan and it sounds like a fun thing to do to raise and release them in your garden. You have lots of choices, including mallows, for both larval and adult Painted Ladies. The Painted Lady is also known as the Thistle Butterfly because of its preferences for those plants.LARVAE
Any of the thistles native to Michigan, including:
Cirsium discolor (field thistle), Cirsium muticum (swamp thistle) and Cirsium undulatum (wavyleaf thistle).
Here are some attractive mallows native to Michigan for your garden:
Hibiscus laevis (halberdleaf rosemallow)
Hibiscus moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow)
Callirhoe involucrata (purple poppymallow)
Other plants for larvae:
Achillea millefolium (common yarrow)
Lupinus perennis (sundial lupine)
Helianthus annuus (common sunflower)
Vernonia gigantea (giant ironweed)
ADULTS
Liatris aspera (tall blazing star)
Vernonia gigantea (giant ironweed)
Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed)
Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed)
Eupatoriadelphus fistulosus (trumpetweed)
Eupatoriadelphus maculatus (spotted trumpetweed)
Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush)
You should realize that the plants listed above also attract other butterflies so you should have a garden filled with beauty.
More Wildlife Gardens Questions
Native plants to attract butterflies
October 18, 2007 - I'm a Texas A&M Wildlife and Ecology student working with a landowner in Bastrop County, Texas. As part of their Habitat Management Plan, they are hoping to enhance butterfly habitat on their proper...
view the full question and answer
Bee-pasture recommendations for AR
November 30, 2011 - Hello, I live in Melbourne, Ar, up in the NE corner of the state. I keep bees and would like to put in a couple acres of something for them. I'm leaning towards Viper's Bugloss. Do you know where I ...
view the full question and answer
Plants for birds in Virginia
February 17, 2008 - Hi there, I would like to plant some bird-friendly shrubs in my backyard, here in the Shenandoah Valley. I have read that birds like winterberries, and I think they are gorgeous. But, this is mid-Fe...
view the full question and answer
Fertilizing oaks to produce more acorns
March 04, 2009 - What type of fertilizer would I use on oak trees to possibly increase growth and acorn production ? I have some flooded oak timber that is home to migrating ducks but there is little for them to eat.
view the full question and answer
Wildlife and bird friendly hedgerow for Chicago suburb
November 30, 2013 - Want to plant a wildlife/bird friendly hedgerow
in suburban Chicago. Looking for a recommended mix of understory trees as well a shrubs and grasses. Site is part shade with average to wet soil and tr...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |