hello i'm in minnesota zone 4 and i would like to make a butterfly caterpillar host garden.i have 2 swamp milkweed plants and a joe pye weed plant.what else can i toss in there for the pillars to eat? i will probaly throw in some herbs next year.
making a pillar host garden..
Since I'm located in a different zone, I'd be afraid to give you a plant list. I found the following site helpful in choosing host plants in zone 7.
Butterflies and Moths of North America - http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
The map search is an excellent tool for locating your county and seeing which butterflies have been documented. Each butterfly has information regarding host and nectar plants.
I'd start with what butterflies you are already seeing in your area. The BAMO site is good, but it is really dependent on how good their coordinators are at updating the county lists. I've sent things in and never gotten them added, so don't be discouraged if it says there's nothing in your area.
I did an article that has a list of host plants for some common butterflies.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2358/
also:
http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/Butterfly%20Gardening/Host%20Plants%20by%20Butterfly%20Species.htm
Here's what I have in my garden:
Parsley/carrot family for Black Swallowtails. That includes Dill, parsley, queen anne's lace
Swamp Milkweed, Butterfly weed, common milkweed for the monarchs.
Mallow for the Painted Ladies.
Lance-leaf plantain and toadflax for the Common Buckeyes.
Sunflowers for American Ladies
Rue for Giant Swallowtails.
Clover for Sulphurs
Various Weeds:
False Nettle (Commas, Question Marks), Pellitory (Red Admiral), Violets, Mustard (Cabbage White)
I'm sure there are other trees and such in the area for others.