• Plant flowers in masses to attract the attention of passing butterflies.
• Select a combination of plants that bloom at different times of the year.
• Use both caterpillar food plants and nectar plants to lure adult butterflies. Female butterflies look for a suitable food plant on which to lay their eggs.
• Offer pieces of overripe fruit. This lures butterflies such as the Empress Leilia that are attracted to rotting fruit and tree sap but rarely flowers.
• Furnish windbreaks.
• Provide shade for hot days.
• Install flat rocks for resting places in both morning sun and all day shade.
• Supply damp soil from which butterflies can absorb salts and nutrients.
• If a plant seems to have too many caterpillars, either put in additional plants of the same variety or pick off the excess caterpillars. These surplus caterpillars can be left out in a bowl for the birds or dumped in a bucket of soapy water. Getting rid of caterpillars, however, reduces the number of butterflies.
• Avoid using pesticides.

Acacia angustissima: Fern Acacia

Agapanthus orientalis: Lily-of-the-Nile
Grows to 5' high. Broad leaves in clumps produce up to 100 blue flowers. Evergreen perennial. Part shade in afternoon. Divide bulbs every 3-5 years to maintain bloom. Low water once established, but moderate water produces more blooms. A nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Aristolochia: Desert Pipevine, Dutchman's Pipe
Twining vines with odd-shaped flowers in somber colors. Desert Pipevine, an Oracle native perennial, is drought tolerant and sometimes sold at Tohono Chul Park. Dutchman's Pipe, a deciduous native of eastern North America, requires regular water and average soil. Seed is available from seed companies. Aristolochia are food plants of Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars and a nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Asclepias: Milkweed
Milkweeds are annuals or perennials needing low to moderate water and good drainage. They often grow 2-3' high. Most are frost-tender, thrive with southern exposure and can be expected to die in Oracle winters. Milkweeds are highly recommended as a food source for Queen caterpillars and a nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Buddleja davidii: Butterfly Bush
Grows rapidly each spring and summer 4' to 8' high. Lilac flowers with orange eyes in spiked clusters. Blooms late summer. Deciduous or may die to ground each winter and grow back from roots. Full sun to light shade. A nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Buddleja marrubiifolia: Woolly Butterfly Bush
Grows to 5' high. Orange flowers clustered in ball shape. Dense wooly leaves silver-green to silver in color.
Blooms spring to summer. Semi-evergreen. Low to moderate water. Full sun to part shade. A nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Calliandra californica: Baja Fairy Duster
Grows to 5' high and as wide. Long red stamens give plant its name. Blooms in warm weather. Evergreen. Low to moderate water. Full sun. A highly recommended food plant for Ceraunus Blue caterpillars and a nectar source for many species of butterflies. Attracts hummingbirds.

Centranthus ruber: Red Valarian
Grows to 3' high and wide. Red to pink flower clusters.
Blooms late spring to early summer. Perennial. Reseeds freely. A nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Cirsium: Thistle
Wild thistles grow 1.5' to 6' high. Red to purple flowers 2" wide. Bloom March to October, depending on species. Low water. Annual. Reseeds freely. Prickly stems are a nuisance and become woody if plant is allowed to go to seed. A food plant for Painted Lady caterpillars and a nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Coreopsis tinctoria: Calliopsis
Grows to 1.5' high and 1' wide. Yellow flowers 1.25" wide with a brown center. Blooms June to September. Annual. A nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Cosmos bipinnatus: Cosmos
Grows 2' to 6' high. Flowers 3" to 4" wide with yellow centers and rays of white, pink, rose, purple or crimson. Blooms summer and fall. Reseeds freely. An aphid magnet. Annual. Low to moderate water. Protect from strong wind. A nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Cosmos sulphureus: Yellow Cosmos
Grows to 7' high. Flowers 2.5" to 3" wide with yellow centers and yellow or yellow-orange rays. Blooms summer and fall. Annual. Moderate water. A nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Eupatorium greggii: Blue Mist / Butterfly Mist
Grows to 2.5' high and 3' wide. Fluffy lavender flowers. Blooms spring and fall. Perennial. Low to moderate water. Queen and Monarch butterfly males are drawn to this plant and use a chemical in its nectar to attract females. Highly recommended as a nectar source and butterfly magnet.

Gaillardia aristata: Firewheel
Grows to 2' high and wide. Red flowers 4" wide with yellow tips. Supplemental water extends bloom. Blooms June and September. Perennial. A nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Helianthus: Sunflower
Depending on species and variety, sunflowers grow 1.5' to 15' high and flowers are 3" to 12" wide. Summer bloom. Annuals and perennials. Moderate to regular water. Full sun. Food plants for Elada Checkerspot and Painted Lady caterpillars and a nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Lantana species: Lantana
Shrub varieties grow to 6' high and wide with yellow, orange or red flowers in clusters 1" to 2" wide. Ground cover varieties grow 2' high with trailing branches 3' to 6' long. Rose, purple or white flowers in clusters 1" to 1.5" wide. Bloom spring through fall. Moderate water. Full sun. A frost tender perennial best with southern exposure. Highly recommended nectar plants for many species of butterflies. Attracts hummingbirds.

Lupinus succulentus: Arroyo / Hollow-leaf Lupine

Machaeranthera canescens: Hoary Tansyaster

Passiflora: Passionflower Vine
Deciduous vines that grow 20' to 30'. May freeze to the ground in severe winters. Fragrant, showy flowers 3" wide bloom spring and fall. Perennial. Highly recommended as food plants for Variegated Fritillary caterpillars and as nectar sources for many species of butterflies. Attracts hummingbirds.

Salvia greggii: Autumn Sage
Grows 1' to 4' high and as wide. Flowers 0.5" to 1" long can be red, white, pink or magenta. Blooms summer to fall. Low to moderate water. Full sun. Deciduous perennial. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming. A nectar plant for many species of butterflies. Attracts hummingbirds.

Scabiosa: Pincushion Flower
Common forms sold grow 1.5' to 3' high and 1' wide. White, pink or blue flowers 2" to 3" wide. Blooms spring and late summer to frost if spent flowers are deadheaded. Annual. Moderate water. Full sun. A nectar plant for many species of butterflies.

Senna leptocarpa: Slimpod Senna
Grows to 4' high. Yellow flowers 1" wide in clusters.
Blooms in summer. Perennial. Dies to the ground each winter and grows back from its roots. Highly recommended as a food plant for Cloudless Sulphur and Sleepy Orange caterpillars. Does not produce nectar.

Senna wislizenii: Shrubby Senna
Grows to 5' high. Yellow flowers 1" wide in clusters.
Blooms in summer. Deciduous perennial or may die to the ground each winter and grow back from roots. Highly recommended as a food plant for Cloudless Sulphur and Sleepy Orange caterpillars. Does not produce nectar.

Sphaeralcea: Globe Mallow
The highly variable mallow family includes Hollyhock, Hibiscus, Trailing Mallow and the Globe Mallows. Globe Mallows are perennials that require little water and full sun. They often bloom spring and fall. Mallows are food plants for various Skipper caterpillars and a nectar source for many species of butterflies.

Tagetes lemmonii: Mount Lemmon Marigold
Grows to 3' to 6' high and as wide. Yellow flowers with orange centers. Blooms summer to fall. Fragrant leaves. Low water. Short-lived perennial that dies to ground at first frost. A nectar plant for many species of butterflies.

Vitex agnus-castus: Monk's Pepper Tree
Grows to 15' high and as wide. Fragrant lavender-blue flowers on 6" to 12" spikes. Blooms for one month in spring. Frost-tender and needs a southern exposure or it could die to the ground each winter and remain a shrub. Moderate water, full sun. Deciduous. A nectar plant for many species of butterflies. Attracts hummingbirds.

Zinnia grandiflora: Prairie Zinnia
Grows 1' high and wide. Yellow flower 1.5" wide with orange eye. Blooms spring and fall with regular water. Can survive on low water. Annual. A nectar plant for many species of butterflies.