Butterflies seldom feed in shade. Most plants favored by butterflies prefer sun to partial shade. Butterflies need shelter from strong winds. Plant nectar flowers for adult butterflies Choose perennials and annuals so that some butterfly favorite will be blooming from early spring through late fall. Plant large areas of one plant species or one color.
Native plants are usually preferred.
Flat-topped blossoms or clusters of short, tubular flowers are favorites. You ll be able to observe life cycles. Female butterflies will be drawn to your garden and encouraged to stay and lay eggs. Without plants for caterpillars, there would be no butterflies. Larvae do eat leaves and flowers of host plants but don t usually kill the plants, as so few caterpillars survive more than a few days.