Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Do you raise butterfly cats indoors?, 1 by konkreteblond

konkreteblond wrote:
Yes Ladyanne, sending butterflies across state lines can be a no-no. I'm still not sure how the butterfly police know when one flies there on it's own! You evidentally have plenty of nectar sources if you plant for the hummers and have dragonflies too. What kinds of butterflies have you seen? (just basic color wise) Butterflies use many plants for nectar, but only specific ones are host plants. The host plant is where she will lay her eggs and what the caterpillars will eat. They won't eat just any leaf. Probably the easiest thing you can do to attract them and get eggs is plant fennel, parsley or dill for the Swallowtails. You've got a different variety than I have, but they still use the same host plants. If you plant it, they will come.

Monarchwatch.org probably has some good info on what milkweeds are best in your area. I believe they even have a forum now. I think what I have now is the Mexican Milkweed. I'm still not sure, even after discussing and looking at pictures. I love it tho. It's reseeded everywhere and I have a ton of babies. Unfortunately tho, it's going to get cold soon and they won't last until next year. I saved a bunch of seed tho, so I'll try and start some early in the spring.