Local Butterflies

Listed below are a variety of Butterflies found throughout North-West Contra Costa County. To attract and keep butterflies in your garden you will require both “Nectar” and “Host” plants.

Nectar plants attract adult butterflies to your garden. Use flower colors such as pink, purple, red, orange, yellow and white in blocks of colors for the best effect. Listed below the pictures are native nectar and host plants (most of which are grown at our greenhouse in Crockett), as well as non native’s, for use in your butterfly garden.

Host plants are plants used by butterflies to lay their eggs on. When the eggs hatch and caterpillars emerge, these plants provide the food caterpillars need to grow.

For more information on butterfly friendly gardening, please visit our greenhouse and ask any of our friendly staff.

MONARCH
Danaus plexippus

Wingspan: 3 1/2″ to 4″

Monarch Butterfly

Click image to enlarge

Nectar Plants

Native
Asclepias cordifolia (Heartleaf milkweed)
Asclepias fascicularis (Narrow leaf Milkweed)
Asclepias californica (California Milkweed)
Eurybia radulina (Roughleaf aster)

Non Native
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly bush)

Host Plants

Native
Asclepias cordifolia (Heartleaf milkweed)
Asclepias fascicularis (Narrow leaf Milkweed)
Asclepias californica (California Milkweed)

Non Native
Asclepias curassavica (Mexican Milkweed)
Asclepias fruticosa (Family jewels tree)

______________________________________________________________________________

PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAIL
Battus philenor

pipevine-swallowtail.jpg

Click image to enlarge

Nectar Plants

Native
Asclepias (see above)
Lonicera hispidula (California or Hairy honeysuckle)

Non Native
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly bush)
Zinnias

Host Plants

Native
Aristolochia californica (California dutchman’s pipe)

Non Native
Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia Snakeroot)

______________________________________________________________________________

WESTERN PYGMY-BLUE
Brephidium exile

western-pigmy-blue.jpg

Click image to enlarge

Nectar Plants

Native
Mentha arvensis (Wild mint) Solidago californica (California goldenrod)

Non Native
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly bush) Lavenders, Common Mint, Oregono Clovers

Host Plants

Native
Atriplex spp. (Salt bush) Chenopodium californicum (California goosefoot)

Non Native
Chenopodium album (Lambsquarters)
______________________________________________________________________________