Transform your garden into a breathtaking swallowtail butterfly sanctuary. Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies known for their distinctive tail-like wing extensions.
With their graceful flight and striking patterns, these winged wonders bring life and beauty to any outdoor space.
To attract these beauties, here are plants that will entice them to visit.
1. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill, with its feathery foliage and yellow umbels, is a favorite of both swallowtail caterpillars and butterflies. The caterpillars relish the leaves, while the butterflies enjoy the nectar-rich flowers.
It’s a versatile herb that adds flavor to your dishes and beauty to your garden.
2. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Similar in appearance to dill, fennel boasts delicate, feathery leaves and yellow flower clusters. It’s another host plant for swallowtail caterpillars and a nectar source for the butterflies.
Fennel also offers a subtle licorice flavor that can be used in various culinary creations.
3. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley, a common culinary herb, is surprisingly attractive to swallowtail butterflies. Its flat-leaf or curly varieties provide food for caterpillars, and the tiny flowers offer nectar for the adult butterflies.
Adding parsley to your garden enhances its beauty and attracts these lovely pollinators.
4. Phlox (Phlox spp.)
Phlox, with its vibrant clusters of flowers in various colors, is a magnet for swallowtail butterflies. The flowers are rich in nectar, providing a valuable food source for the butterflies.
Planting phlox in your garden adds a burst of color and attracts these graceful creatures.
5. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Milkweed is the quintessential host plant for monarch butterflies, but it also attracts swallowtails. The caterpillars feed on the leaves, while the butterflies enjoy the flower nectar.
Milkweed is essential for the survival of monarch butterflies and a valuable addition to any butterfly garden.
6. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
Joe-Pye Weed, with its tall stature and large, fluffy pink or purple flower clusters, is a powerhouse for attracting pollinators, including swallowtail butterflies. The abundant nectar supply in these blooms makes it a popular stop for butterflies seeking sustenance.
Its presence in your garden adds vertical interest and a touch of wildflower charm.
7. Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
Coneflowers, recognized by their distinctive daisy-like flowers with prominent central cones, are a magnet for butterflies, including swallowtails.
Available in a variety of colors, these perennials offer a long blooming season, providing a continuous nectar source for butterflies throughout the summer and fall.
8. Zinnias (Zinnia spp.)
Zinnias, with their cheerful, vibrant blooms in a kaleidoscope of colors, are a butterfly favorite. Their open, flat flower heads provide easy access to nectar for butterflies of all kinds, including swallowtails.
These annuals are a low-maintenance and colorful addition to any garden.
9. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana, a tropical shrub known for its clusters of colorful flowers, is a haven for butterflies, including swallowtails.
The flowers bloom in a variety of colors, often changing hues as they mature, creating a vibrant tapestry that attracts pollinators.
10. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)
As its name suggests, the butterfly bush is a veritable butterfly magnet. Its long, fragrant flower spikes, available in various colors, are a nectar feast for butterflies, including swallowtails. This deciduous shrub can grow quite large, making it a statement piece in your garden and a haven for these winged beauties.
By incorporating a mix of these plants into your garden, you’ll create an irresistible haven for swallowtail butterflies. You’ll enjoy the visual spectacle of these colorful creatures flitting among your blooms, contributing to the pollination of your plants and enhancing your outdoor space.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.