"Just because you hear a buzzing-noise coming from a tree
From "Eeyore's Gloomy Little Instruction Book"
doesn't mean you're going to get any honey."
Click on the plant links for valuable information from The Plant Advisor or Time Life Virtual Garden Encyclopedia
These xeriscape web pages have been constructed out of my own research into what I had to do to support hummingbirds and bees naturally without lots of maintenance and water, and to provide food to support an entire life-cycle for certain butterflies based on the established trees and shrubs in my garden. Therefore, worthy butterflies have been left off the list who turn up their proboscises at my trees and shrubs; flora and fauna that perish in my zone are not included; only the most tempting plants that need water are included; and the menus I've provided for particular butterflies reflect all this. Check out the detailed information provided from Geyata Ajilvsgi's Butterfly Gardening for the South for more comprehensive information on particular butterfly personalities and preferred menus.
This color indicates a plant may not necessarily be drought-tolerant; that in my research there were conflicting reports about water requirements — some resources say it's drought-tolerant, some say it requires average moisture. Average isn't bad. Who doesn't need a drink? Group these plants next to another established or desired landscape element that also needs average moisture. They can be social drinkers.
This color indicates a plant has definite water requirements. Hey! We're all supposed to get eight glasses a day! They are included within these pages for two reasons: 1) They are powerful hummingbird and/or butterfly enticements, and, 2) perhaps there are others like me who have a certain spot in their garden that tends to be a tad swampy that they would like to utilize for the better good. Others could group these plants next to another established or desired landscape element that also needs moist soil.
All swallowtails prefer butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Lantana (Lantana camara), verbena, bee balm (Monarda didyma) and moss phlox (Phlox sublata) for nectar. Larval requirements are more diverse.
Nectar Flowers:
bee balm (Monarda didyma),
butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii),
butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa),
cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis),
Carolina-jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens),
coneflower (Echinacea),
dill (anethum graveolens),
fennel (Foeniculum vulgare),
gayfeather (liatris pycnostachya),
goldenrod (Solidago),
globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa),
Lantana (Lantana camara),
lemon-mint/lem on-balm (Melissa officinalis),
milkweed (Asclepias speciosa),
morning glory (ipomoea purpurea),
parsley (Petroselinum crispum),
moss phlox (Phlox sublata),
pineapple sage (Salvia elegans),
Salvia,
single zinnia,
sunflower (Helianthus),
thistle (Cirsium),
verbena,
zinnia,
peach
Larval Food:
fennel (Foeniculum vulgare),
parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
garden bean (Phaseolus vulgaris),
lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus),
purple bean (Phaseolus atropurpureus),
(aristolochia)Dutchman's Pipe,
cabbage (Brassica oleracea),
citrus,
lilac (Syringa vulgaris),
milkweed (Asclepias speciosa),
nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus),
rue (Ruta graveolens),
spicebush (Lindera benzoin),
Texas thistle (cirsium texanum),
thistle (Silybum),
white clover (Trifolium repens),
catalpa,
cottonwood (populus deltoides),
elm (ulmus),
peach,
pear (Pyrus),
American plum (Prunus americanus),
poplar (Populus)
Word to the wise: Given a choice, a female Monarch finds the most poisonous plants on which to lay her eggs. Some portions of some of these plants (carolina-jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), milkweed, rue, etc.) are poisonous. One doctor I know says that such things taste so bad, children would likely spit it out before they could get sick. Still, I'm not going to plant said vegetation in beds with edible flora and fauna and most will go in the front yard where my children are not allowed to play anyway for other safety reasons. Under any circumstances, have the number for the local Poison Control Center near the phone. (And I myself always have activated charcoal on hand -- it once saved my dog from poisoning and I've read that it can actually save a dog from parvovirus [under all circumstances, get your pooch vaccinated for parvo!])
Why xeriscape to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and/or bees? The importance of providing safe habitats for butterflies, hummingbirds, and other assorted creatures, including yourself.
Best Online Butterfly Resource Anywhere!
The Plant Advisor and Time life Virtual Garden Encyclopedia will duke it out to see which will be a more valuable resource to you.
Pinetree Garden Seeds
Garden Escape
Native American Seed...restoring the earth
Companion Plants Online
GreenWeb
Southern Perennials & Herbs
The Butterfly Website
The Butterfly Zone
Imperiled Pollinators:
National Wildlife Federation's "What You Can Do About the Pollination Crisis" and
"Create a Pollinator Garden"
We hope you enjoy your visit.
My absolute favorite seed supply. Reasonable prices, quantities, and shipping.
My Absolute favorite website for plant information and supply. Each plant has statistics on plant needs, care, companion plants, and attributes, and most have a photo.
A less expensive Native American seed/environmentally conscious website whose available seeds include cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) seeds in case you have a moist area in a garden in which you are trying to achieve drought tolerance.
The least expensive website I've found so far selling cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) seeds and/or plants just in case you have one swampy area in the garden in which you are trying to achieve drought tolerance.
A website selling seeds to just about every variety of milkweed. Special topics include, Organic Gardening, Growing Anything From Seeds, The G-Files, Plants for What Ails You and more.
A website selling goldenrod that can be used as a tarragon substitute. Descriptions of rare, unusual, and distinctive plants, along with the more common ones. Plants that thrive in the Deep South, with a great many that are adaptable to other areas. Selection is broad, but specialties are Salvias, Gingers, Louisiana Irises, native plants, vines, and unusual shrubs. Large selections of Butterfly Bush, Aster, Abutilon, and Dianthus. Links, at the end of many of the descriptions, to images of the plants.
A great site.
The Butterfly Room Butterfly Mystique of Miami, Inc.
A website selling. Features Life Cycle Room; Butterfly Release Brochures; science brochures; and world's BIGGEST butterfly Gift Shop including live culture, butterflies and caterpillars.
A website with lots of awards.
* Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy * Wes Stoops Memorial *