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
Will Canada geese eat Asclepias tuberosa from Cape May Court, NJ
May 20, 2014 - Will Canada geese eat my butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)? I know this plant is deer resistant. I really want to plant some on sandy bank near pond in my back yard, but I fear the geese will ...
view the full question and answer
Getting milkweed seeds into seed mixes from Milwaukee WI
February 07, 2014 - My husband and I are concerned about the Monarch butterfly migration and have started an effort to get milkweed planted along some bike trails here in Wisconsin. This made me think of Ladybird Johnso...
view the full question and answer
Butterfly garden in Austin
May 28, 2008 - I am located in North Central Austin, and just bought a house with a large back yard. One half is shade-part sun, and the other half is full sun. The shade from three large (55-60) foot trees. I am...
view the full question and answer
Flowers for monarch butterflies in Bastrop, Gonzales and Travis Counties of Texas
March 05, 2013 - Hi Mr./s. Smarty Plants,
What are some flowers that grow naturally on a Bastrop, Travis, or Gonzales county riverside that monarch butterflies commonly feed on?
Thank you
view the full question and answer
Sun loving plants for flower bed by the pool in Weatherford Texas
October 03, 2011 - We have a 40' long x 2 1/2' wide flowerbed along our pool. It is in full sun with the pool deck across the front and a 6' privacy fence across back. Also, the level of the bed is 18" below the l...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |