Butterflies and Calendula?

Hi! Everyone,

I planted Calendulas in my fennel and parsley garden last Fall thinking that it would be a good winter annual and I could just pull what was left of the plants in Spring. I couldn't have been further wrong. Four months of blooming beautiful blooms are still growing strong. I need to replant some fennel and the parsley. However, I will not pull the plants if I know they attract butterflies as a nectar source or larval source. My wife (who hates to pull plants out before the last flower) says she has seen butterflies on the plant. I haven't seen any, I think. Has anyone else seen their Calendulas attract butterflies or caterpillars?

Thanks,

Chuck

Chuck, the Painted Lady uses Calendula officinalis as their host plant so maybe you will see some. We use Calendulas as a winter annual here.....it gets too hot in the summer for them.

Dear Fly Girl,

I got out my trusty field guide to butterflies in Western North America (Butterflies through Binoculars: The West by Jeffrey Glassburg, of course ) and I found out that you and my wife are 100% RIGHT about the Painted Lady butterflies. I just don't remember ever seeing any. However, it won a reprieve for the Calendula...LOL Sorry about doubting you.

Thanks,

Chuck

LOL...I hope those ladies show up for you!

I don't have any plain Calendula officinalis, but I have a lot of named cultivars. Would the Painted Lady in Indiana use those as a host, or would you not know because that's East?

Suzy