Top 10 Swallowtail Host Plants and Flowers to Grow :- The appearance of spectacular swallowtail butterflies is a treat to every butterfly grower. Among the biggest in the garden, these butterflies astonish observers with their vibrant wings and graceful flying motions.
Top 10 Swallowtail Host Plants and Flowers to Grow
I’ve worked in a Florida butterfly garden for several years, and throughout that time I’ve discovered which blooms swallowtails tend to prefer. I’m going to share those insider tips with you now regarding swallowtail host plants and flowers. (Plus: They also function for other butterflies.)
Bee Balm
Bee balm is commonly planted for its minty citrus aroma; however, it also features stunning tubular blossoms that attract swallowtail butterflies.
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Although it is native to the eastern United States and Canada, it does well elsewhere. It rarely survives the intense humidity of southern summers. Why we adore it: It’s a favourite among swallowtails, and as a bonus, deer usually avoid it!
Ironweed
Ironweed is one of many native plants that attract butterflies. Ironweed is a late summer bloomer that produces flower stalks up to 7 feet long, with fuzzy purple clusters of flowers at the tips of the branches.
Make sure the soil is wet for optimal blossoming. Ironweed is a long bloomer, which is why we adore it. It continues well into autumn, giving the final butterflies of the year nectar. Hummingbirds also adore it!
Parsley
It’s not enough to use parsley as dinner plate garnish! The caterpillars of the black swallowtail are attracted to this annual plant. They will also consume other members of the carrot family such as dill, fennel, and Queen Anne’s lace, although parsley grows easily in almost any garden.
In the Deep South, give yourself some shade during the sweltering summertime. Why we adore it: Any type of parsley, but especially the curly ones, looks lovely spilling out of a hanging planter or used as a border in your flower bed.
Coneflower
Eventually, this natural flower makes its way into every butterfly garden. Coneflower grows easily and produces an abundance of towering purple blooms. Every several years, split the clumps for optimal growth. Leave the seed heads on coneflowers once they have finished blooming so that songbirds can enjoy them.
Why we adore it: Swallowtails are simple to spot (and photograph) when they land for a meal thanks to the centre cone that gives the flower its name. Discover how to recognise the caterpillars and butterflies of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed belongs to the family of milkweeds, which are well-known as monarch caterpillars. But a lot of other species of butterflies, like the black swallowtail, are drawn to the blooms it produces. Any garden would benefit from the inclusion of this hardy plant. It likes lots of sunshine and can withstand dry soil.
Why we adore it: Gardeners with sensitive skin may easily tend to butterfly weed because it doesn’t yield as much milk sap as other milkweeds. After looking at flowers and plants that swallowtails host, learn some common misconceptions about plants that host butterflies.
Pawpaw
The greatest approach to attract the incredibly gorgeous zebra swallowtail butterfly to your yard is to grow this shrub, despite the fact that it might be difficult to grow.
Transplanting is a bit challenging due to the deep root systems; think about starting from seed instead. Why we adore it: Pawpaw yields tasty fruit for people as well as food for zebra swallowtail caterpillars.
Joe Pye Weed
This tall, native perennial grows best in damp soil and can reach heights of nine feet. The pink-purple flower clusters have a subtle vanilla scent. In your yard, Joe Pye weed blooms far into autumn, attracting the final butterflies of the season.
Why we adore it: Tall blooms provide an opportunity to view and capture visiting butterflies from an elevated vantage point. Discover how to draw caterpillars and butterflies to spicebush swallowtails.
Citrus
The citrus family of trees, which includes lemon, lime, and orange trees, is where giant swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs. In addition to common rue (Ruta graevolens), members of this family also include prickly ash (Aralia spinosa) and hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata).
But exercise caution. These trees all have spiky branches, even though they make excellent swallowtail host plants! Why we adore it: Delicious fruit and delicately perfumed spring blooms—need we say more? Learn some amazing facts about swallowtail butterflies to brush up on your butterfly knowledge.
Pentas
Butterflies are drawn to pentas because of its trumpet-shaped blooms, which are what give the plant its common name, starflower. This annual bloom needs regular irrigation, but in between waterings, let the soil dry out a little. Deadhead as needed for summertime flowers.
Why we adore it: Tall red types like Butterfly Red appear to attract tiger swallowtails in particular. They may even go to the same plants every day at the same time.