Butterfly Gardens and Such Butterfly Gardens and Such I get an occasional email regarding advice on starting a butterfly garden. I am not a botanist or horticulturist, so the best I can do is give you some advice and some resources. Some are willing to plant and grow anything that attracts butterflies. Each group becomes more and more restrictive in the pool of plants available.
Natives are also much more difficult to grow and grow more slowly than ornamentals.
The above also applies. It is easy to grow and great at attracting Anise Swallowtails to lay eggs. The caterpillars are reasonably easy to rear, but fennel can become an nuisance and is considered a weed. Third, consider your geographic area. Local nurseries and seed sources are the best bet, as they tend to have things that grow in your area.