Good Southern Host Plant list

I came across this extensive list created for the Dallas, TX area, but is probably good for many southern states and perhaps some northern states. (I did NOT know many of these plants were host plants for butterflies):
By Common Name:
http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/Butterfly%20Gardening/Host%20Plants%20by%20Common%20Name.htm
By Botanical Name:
http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/Butterfly%20Gardening/Host%20Plants%20by%20Botanical%20Name.htm

This explains why I have certain butterflies in my yard. Some of these plants are weeds here. I found the above lists to have more plants included than any of my books.

That's a great list, Becky. I bookmarked it, and will probably print it out. : )
~Lucy

Becky,
Isn't that why they make "State specific" plant lists? Because they only work or have proven to work in that state? I've found that what really works in other states doesnt work here......

Let me know if/why you feel differently. I'd love to learn more.

Adrienne

Adrienne - You have a good point. I was merely suggesting that this list is more specific than what many of my butterfly books list for host plants. I was not suggesting to go out and buy a Texas plant for use in Florida. Though, I do know that many plants found in Texas are also found here in Florida. I was just surprised at the plants that are host plants on the list. Many of them grow wild and are considered weeds here. I had no idea! I guess I shouldn't pull weeds from my yard anymore. Ya just never know what might have cats on them. LOL! :-)

Wow Becky, that is a big list...thanks!

Many of those plants will do well here too.

Can ya just see us all going into a nursery and asking to buy any weeds they have growing in-between their pots of plants! LOL! Yeah ..... can I buy that stinging nettle or crabgrass plant? LOL!

Or the "Vine that ate the south"..... Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)! Yuk!

That is a great list. Hard to believe St. Augustine grass attracts butterflies. I mean that is one thing I for sure have and with the rain we have been getting this summer it is actually growing. Thanks Becky. I even have a few trees listed there (the mesquite of course, doesn't everyone?lol)

Thanks for the super list links Becky!!!
Hey everyone.....you need to link this to your favorites so you won't have to search for it later!!! Just go to the "little folder" just to the right of the search box at the top of the thread and click!!! To pull up your favorites, just click 'my info' then 'view my DG favorites'!! This is a new feature Dave added a few weeks back.

This message was edited Jun 29, 2007 7:27 AM

I, too, was amazed by that list. I have more host plants than I thought growing in my yard which probably explains why I have certain butterflies/moths visiting my yard!

And yours truly wanted that FAVORITES feature too and so I suggested it to Dave! http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/733783/
I love that man! He got that feature up and running within a couple of days of my asking for it (of course, a lot of folks jumped on the thread to back me up for this request)! I have been using the "DG Favorites" feature a LOT. Which is how I can list the links to old threads so fast! LOL! :-) I save anything I know I might want to refer to again. I love it!!! :-) :-)

And in case you didn't already know this ...... you can save individual posts and pages here on DG! Love it , love it!!!

This message was edited Jun 29, 2007 9:54 AM

WTG Becky....love that feature!!!!

Becky,

Am glad you posted that info for others to see. Dale Clark has an excellent website. I've been frequenting that website for a long time now. This is the main page link: http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/ for those who wish to peruse photos and other gardening information.

~ Cat

Becky,
I have been known to go to nurseries and ask if I can "weed" for them! They smile and tell me to "have at it!". I got my wild carrot (mock bishop's weed) that way and the BST love it way more than anything!!

Hee, hee!

Adrienne

Adrienne - You are too funny!

I'm looking at your photo and it looks sort of like some plants from a "wild flower" mix that I have growing in one of my seed beds.

Here's a photo of mine. What do you think? (Though I haven't seen any ST on it. They seem to prefer my parsley and dill right now.)

Looks similar to queen anne's lace doesn't it?

That's what I thought, too, Deborah. There were no plant names listed on the packet. :-(