attracting butterflys?

Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 57 Location: South Canterbury

i want to grow a few plants that will attract butterflys. didnt see a single one in my garden last year but plenty down near the local river (looking at the blackberry which i DONT want in my garden!!!!). Which plants will attract these beautiful insects? Prefer to grow from seed than buy plants (not much money!!!)

Elly

Joined: 06 Jul 2005 Posts: 57 Location: South Canterbury

I found a NZ site that sheds some light on plants butterflies like. This is copied from an Otago Museum factsheet:

Suitable plants
Annual flowering plants that attract butterflies and moths include: common sunflower, cosmos, fetid
marigold Dyssodia papposa, heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), lantana, marigold, nasturtium,
petunia, salvia, scabiosa (Scabiosa atropurpurea), snapdragon, statice, verbena and zinnia. Herbs that
attract butterflies and moths include; catnip, chives, dill, lavender, mint, parsley, and sweet fennel.
Herbaceous perennials that attract butterflies include asters, beebalm, butterfly weed (Asclepias
tuberosa), chrysanthemum, clover, daylily, hollyhock, mallow, phlox, pinks, rudbeckia, sedum, shasta
daisy and yarrow. Shrubs include the 'butterfly bush' or buddleia, cotoneaster, lilac, mock orange,
privet, viburnum and spirea. Butterfly and moth larval host plants that are useful in New Zealand include
the creeper muehlenbeckia, snow tussock, swanplant, nettles and wild cabbage. Some plants are listed
as pest plants, notably cotoneaster and buddleia, so checking with local authorities before planting these
species is advised.

Hope that helps anyone else thinking about planting a butterfly garden!!!