This is a North American effort to help people bring butterflies back to our landscapes.
Host plants are the plants the caterpillars eat.
Both male and female butterflies seem to be able to find these plants from long distances. Butterfly World has listed certain butterflies that are found in our North Eastern area, and the host plants that should be readily available to this region. The following are excellent sources of nectar for your Butterfly Garden. Although nectar sources alone may attract butterflies, only the planting of caterpillar host plants defines true butterfly gardening. Buddleia, Heliotrope, Lantana, Milkweed, Mint, Pentas, Verbena, Zinnia, and something that I never heard of, Porterweed.