If you plant milkweed (in New Zealand, our main milkweed is called swan plant), Monarchs will come. They will feed on the nectar from the flowers and lay their eggs on the leaves. They will remain nearby as long as there is plenty of food and habitat. Monarchs also enjoy a range of nectar flowers including large zinnia, dahlias, goldenrod, mexican sunflower and many more (see the list below).
Red and Yellow Admiral caterpillars breed on nettles, so plant nettles, however it would be a good idea to locate them in a sunny back corner so that people don't unwittingly stumble amongst these plants and get stung by the leaves.
Ragwort and Cineraria will attract Magpie Moths and their woolly black caterpillars.
Cabbage White Butterflies will look for cabbages, kale, broccoli, rocket, mizuna and cauliflowers to lay their yellow, bullet-shaped eggs on the underside of leaves. These hatch into green caterpillars. I plant a few cabbages in my butterfly garden, especially for the white butterflies.
If you live in New Zealand and want to attract our native butterfly species, you will have greater success if you live near native bush.
The Forest Ringlet breeds on Chionochloa grass.
The Common Copper butterfly lives on Muehlenbeckia species.
Other native species use gorse and other legume species and lawn clover.
Nectar plants for butterflies include.............
- Locate your butterfly garden in a sunny spot. Butterflies need sun.
- Plant plenty of nectar-rich flowers.
- Get to know what the caterpillars look like
- Caterpillars are fussy eaters. Each has its favourite plants. Find out what they are and plant them
- Avoid all poisonous pesticides
- Place a shallow dish of muddy water in a sunny spot to encourage the butterflies to 'puddle'
- Let your garden go a little wild - butterflies enjoy a bit of chaos
- Yes, your plants will have a few eaten leaves, but they're a small price to pay for the company of beautiful butterflies.
Monarchs on large Zinnias
Monarch on Lantana