Bring Butterflies into Your Yard  
  

9016 Robyn Rd
St Louis MO 63126
Phone: 314-849-6114

tom@tomterrific.com


 
 Copyright © 2006
The Tom Terrific Company LLC
 

Toms Butterfly Garden - 200+ -April 2008

H = Host plant; N = Nectar source ; P = Perennial; A = Annual; B=Biennial --- M = MoBot or Missouri Listing
Plants Common Name/Variety Code Butterfly Notes M
2008 TESTS BELOW          
ACROCLINIUM GOLIATH (PAPER DAISY) (0017)       Seeds - parkseed.com start 4/1
100 seeds It all died		  
Aster patens Purple Daisy NP     M
Carex muskingumensis Palm Sedge H Dun Skipper, Dion Skipper    
Carex stricta Tussock Sedge H Dun Skipper, Dion Skipper    
Chasmanthium latifolium Northern Sea Oats H Pepper & salt skipper butterfly, Road Side Skipper,Northern Pearly-Eye

Family: Poaceae

May be invasive !

M
DIANTHUS SUPRA PURPLE HYBRID (4099)       Seeds - parkseed.com start 4/1
15 seeds 		 
DIANTHUS CHINENSIS BABY DOLL (0789)       Seeds - parkseed.com start 4/1
15 seeds 		 

Echinacea pupurea
Double Decker

      Wiethop  
HELICHRYSUM BRIGHT BIKINIS MIXTURE (0977)       Seeds - parkseed.com start 4/1 - 2-- seeds  
HELICHRYSUM SILVER MIST (0965      

Seeds - parkseed.com start 4/1 -
10 seeds

 
Lamium maculatum
White Nancy
Spotted Dead Nettle     Trailing plant - might be host for Red Admiral M
Lantana irene       Wiethop  
Lantana
Lavender Trailing 		      Large Pot -
Kirkwood farmers market		  
Liatris spicata
Floristan Violet 		      Wiethop  
Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet Honeysuckle N   It's in the garden more for hummingbirds than butterflies. Plant of Merit M
Panicum virgatum Switch grass H Delaware Skiper   M
PENSTEMON BARBATUS COCCINEUS (1546)       Seeds - parkseed.com start 4/1
100 seeds 		 
Phlox paniculata hybrid   PNH   Brecks.com - bare root plants  
Rudbeckia
Indian Summer 		      Wiethop  
SILENE COMPACTA (CATCHFLY) (1887)       Seeds - parkseed.com start 4/1 -
100 seeds 		 

Salvia nemerosa
Caradonna

  PN      
Salvia guaranitica
Black and Blue 		  AN  

Hummers like this - July - growing great!
I saw it in another garden where it survived the winter!

 
SILENE LUMINA MIX (4618)       Seeds - parkseed.com start 4/1 -
25 seeds 		 
           
           
Verbena lanai blush white - trailing       Large Pot -
kirkwood farmers market		  
Verbena tapien
Blue Violet 		      Large Pot -
kirkwood farmers market		  
Verbena Trailing

Aztec - Trailing Lavender 		  AN      
           
           
           
           
TESTS 2008 ABOVE          
           
Agastache Fortuna Azul - Blue Fortune Hyssop PN   Died out.  
Agastache foeniculum
 Anise Hyssop PN   Four foot tall, but good nectar plant M
Agastache rupeestris Sunset Hyssop NA   Nice display...expensive - from Jackson and Perkins Died 2007 M
Allium schoenoprasum Chives NP      
Aloysia triphylla Lemon Verbena NP?   Test for 2005 - came back in 2006.
It's leggy with no blossoms July 27 Died 2008 		 
Alyssum   HNA Cab White I'm keping this in a pot as it reseeds too freely.  
Ammi Majus False Queen Anne's Lace HNA Black Swallowtail

Also called BISHOP'S WEED, BULLWORT, LACE FLOWER

Doesn't last long.

M
Amsonia illustris Shining Blue Star HNP   Snowberry Clearwing Moth -
MO Native 		M
Anaphalis margaritacea Pearly Everlasting HP Painted and American Lady Excellent host plant in spring+ pretty flowers in the fall. M
Antennaria Pussy Toes HP Painted Lady + American lady Low growing - AM Lady arvae 2007 M
Apocynum cannabinum Dogbane NP   Invasive - looks like milkweed.
I'm pulling out. 		M
Aristolochia Durior Pipevine HP Pipevine Swallowtail   M
Artemisia Schmidtiana Silver Mound H Painted Lady Died out M
Artemisia absinthium Wormwood H American Lady Gets Tall and wide. M
Asclepias Cinderella   HP Monarch A new variety of Incarnata M
Asclepias Curassavica Tropical Milkweed HNA Monarchs + Spring Azure Blooms all summer + easy to start. This is especially good for migrating fall Monarchs. The Spring Azure lays it's eggs on the unopened flower buds. M
Asclepias fruticosa Swwan Plant HNA Monarchs Unusual Pods  
Asclepias Incarnata Swamp Milkweed  HNP Monarch Will grow under most any condition. M
Asclepias purpurescens
Purple milkweed 		      Slow Grower M
Asclepias Speciosa -
Showy Milkweed 		  HNP Monarch Died out M
Asclepias syriaca - Common Milkweed.. HNP Monarch I'm taking this out. In the home garden with good soil, it is too invasive. I'm going to try and grow it in a pot.  M
Asclepias Tuberosa - Butterfly Weed HNP Monarch Great plant ! M
Asimina triloba Paw Paw Tree HP Zebra Swallowtail With the rabbits destroying this every year and my lack of Zebra ST in this area, I've given this tree to a friend. M
Aster - Misc + New England   HNP Pearl Crescent The best fall nectar plant. There are different varieties. My butterflies prefer the purplish flower to others. M
Aster anomalus
 Woodland Aster HNP Pearl Crescent   M
Aster cordifolius Heat-leaved Aster HNP Pearl Crescent   M
Aster drummondii Drummond Aster HNP Pearl Crescent    
Aster dumosus
Wood's Pink 		      16" tall - 2007  
Aster laevis Smooth Aster HNP Pearl Crescent   M
Aster oblongifolius Aromastic Aster HNP Pearl Crescent Fall bloomer M
Aster oolentangiensis Sky Blue Aster HNP Pearl Crescent   M
Aster paludosus Prarie Aster HNP Pearl Crescent Fall bloomer - DIED  
Aster puniceus var firmus Swamp Aster HNP Pearl Crescent Fall bloomer M
Baptisia bracteata Cream Wild Indigo HP Wild Indigo dusky Wing Planted and deid in 2005. My 2nd attempt. M
Bermuda Grass Bermuda Grass HP Fiery skipper I didn't plant this, but it's a battle not worth fighting. It does seem to bring in lots of skippers. M
Bidens alba   NA   t will reseed intself vigorously, so keep it in one area. M
Black cherry
Prunus serotina 		  HP Tiger Swallowtail, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple.   M
Blephilia ciliata Ohio Horse Mint NP   Died out 2007 M
Blood Root -   NP   Early spring flower M
Boehmeria cylindrica False Nettle HP Red Admiral + Mourning cloak Needs to be dug out and moved every few years. M
Boltonia asteroides "Snowbank" White Boltonia NP   Fall color. 4' wide and high
Plant of Merit 		M
Brassica oleracea Kale HA Cabbage and checkered white Great M

Buddleia davidii -

 Butterfly Bush - NP   The best overall nectar bush. M
Buddleia davidii
Pink Delight 		Butterfly Bush NP   Died 2007  
Buddleia davidii -
White Ball 		Dwarf     Test for 2005 - forestfarm.com
Came back in 2006 - died 2007 		 
Buddleia nanho purple Dwarf     Test for 2007 - worked well.  
Caryopteris clandonensis - Longwood Blue

Bluebeard

 NP   Test for 2005 - Gets large.
Not as attractive to butterflies as other plants are in the fall. 		 
Ceanothus americanus   HNP   Spring Azure lays eggs on the unopened flower buds + the Mottled Dusky wing uses it as a host plant. M
Celandine Poppy - Stylophorum diphyllum         M
Celtis occidentalis Hackberry Tree HP Hackberry, Question mark, Snout, Mourning Cloak 2006-Snout laying eggs on this. M

Celtis tenuifolia 		Hackberry dwarf - HP Hackberry, Question mark, Snout, Mourning Cloak Shrub or small tree M

Centranthus ruber

Red Valerian NP   Beautiful flowers - under river Birch M
Cephalanthus occidentalis Buttonbush NP     M
Cercis canadensis Redbud Tree HNP Henry's Elfin Nectar plant in early spring M
Chamaecrista fasciculata Partridge Pea HA Little Yellow + Cloudless Sulphur It will reseed itself. M
Chelone obliqua Rose Turtlehead HP Baltimore Checkerspot   M
Cimicifuga simplex"Atropurpurea Black Snakeroot or Bugbane NP  

6' high shrub
Died out after 2 months

M
Cleome hassleriana Spider flower HNA Cabbage White   M

Clethra alnifolia
Ruby Spice

 Summersweet Ruby Spice NP   5' shrub - Planted 2005, died in 2005. M

Clover...white
Trifolium repens.

  H Orange Sulphur In the yard, but I dont fight it. M
Conoclinium coelestinum Wild Ageratum comapct form NP   Died out. M
Coreopsis
CremeBrule		 Coreopsis NP   Test for 2005 - planted late in the seson Died 2007
Hardy to -30F - also a new plant for 2006. It does not spread like Moonbeam. 		M
Coreopsis tinctoria Plains Cor. NA   It reseeds vigorously. M
Coreopsis - Moonbeam   NP   Low grower M
Coreopsis - Palmata
Prairie Coreopsis 		      Too invasive - I took it out. M
Coreopsis - Rosea   NP   Low grower M
Coreopsis aurculata - Nana   NP   8" tall M
Coreopsis auriculata 'Zamfir' Zamfir Eared Coreopsis NP   Died out 2007 M
Coreopsis grandiflora-
Baby Sun 		Coreopsis NP   Test for 2005 - 20"  
Coreopsis grandiflora Early Sunrise   NP      
Coreopsis grandiflora Santa Fe   NP   Test for 2006
Died 2007 		 
Coreopsis grandiflora
Sunfire 		      2007 - red center  
Coreopsis lancelata -
Lanceleaf Coreopsis 		  NP   Good grower M
Coreopsis verticillata 'Grandiflora'   NP     M
Coreopsis....assorted   NPA     M
Cosmos - psyche mix   NA   Fast grower, but dies early. M
Cynanchum laeve Blue Sand Vine HA   Milkweed vine. I don't plant this, but it always seems to find a place in my garden.  
Dahlia dwarf   NA   2007 Test  
Daucus carota Queen Anne's Lace HA Black swallowtail My butterflies seem to prefer other host plants. M
Dianthus... assorted   NP   It's a good nectar plant for many butterflies. M
Dianthus barbatus Sweet William NB   T's flowers  
Dianthus barbatus
Heart Attack 		Sweet William NP?   2007 - I've pulled it out - it blooms for a short period of time and then nothing. M
Dianthus deltoides - Brilliant   NP   Wiethop 2007  
Dianthus gratianopolitanus - Cheddar Pinks          
Dianthus barbatus interspecific Amazon Neon Rose Magic   NP?  

Showy - Park Seed 3 colors on one stalk.
It is not hardy, so I've stopped growing this variety.

 
Dianthus - Neon Star   NP   2007  
Dianthus Pheasants Ear   NP      

Dianthus
Spangled Star

  NP?   Zone 5 - 7" tall  
Digitalis x mertonensis Foxglove NP   Died out M
Dill...Mammoth   HA Black Swallowtail. Strong grower M
Dogwood   HP Spring Azure   M

Echinacea Bravado

Purple Coneflower NP   The birds also like the seeds in the fall. M
Echinacea Magnus Purple Coneflower NP   The birds also like the seeds in the fall. M
Echinacea
x Mango Meadowbrite 		Mango Meadowbrite Coneflower NP   New for 2005 - sunlightgardens.com
Died 2007 		 
Echinacea pallida Pale Purple Coneflower NP   Beautiful,delicate blossom. M
Echinacea paradoxa Yellow Coneflower NP   Test for 2004 - minimal growth from seed.
Looks better in 2005.		 M
Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower NP   The birds also like the seeds in the fall. M
Echinacea purpurea Alba Purple Coneflower NP   New for 2006  
Echinacea simulata Glade coneflower NP   Same as terrificalis? 2007  
Echinacea
Sunrise		 Sunrise Coneflower NP   New for 2005 - sunlightgardens  
Echinacea Tennesseensis Purple Coneflower NP   Two new plants for 2006 M
Echinacea
White Swan 		White Coneflower     Beautiful
2007 = Wiethop - $1.25 		M
Echinops ritro
 Globe thistle HNP Painted Lady Save seed and start inside. M
Echium vulgare Blue-weed orViper's bugloss NA     M
Eupatorium coelestinum Wild Ageratum NA   Reseeds itself - with a little help. M
Eupatorium purpureum Joe Pye Weed NP   Tall  
Eupatorium serotinum   NP   Too tall and gangly for my garden.. M
Fennel   HA Black Swallowtail   M
Foeniculum vulgare Bronze Fennel HP Black Swallowtail   M
Gaillardia grandiflora Blanket Flower NP   Test 2003 M

Gaillardia grandiflora Arizona Sun

Blanket Flower NP   Only 12" tall - Walmart  
Gaillardia pulchella   NA   Yellow Sun from Parks (nice plant) M
Gaillardia...Misc   NA     M
Gaura lindheimeri
Pink Lady 		  NP   Marketing materials say, "Butterfly Magnet." Never did see a butterfly on it - Died 2008 M
Geranium Geranium NA   Just this year I saw a Pipevine butterfly nectaring on our common annual Geranium - that was a first.  
Glandularia canadensis Rose Verbena NP   A good nectar plant for smallbutterflies. but it keeps dying out over the winter. M
Gomphrena

Globe Amaranth

Dwarf Buddy

NA   Small size but a great bloomer. Award Winner M
Gomphrena Globe Amaranth NA   Does well in wet and shadier conditions. M
Gymnocoronis spilanthoides Senegal Tea NA   Pond Plant in Missouri
Might be invasive in Southern climates if left to naturalize. 		M
Glycyrrhiza glabra Licorice HP Silver Spotted Skipper Test for 2004 - Took out 2008
Invasive and never showed any larvae. 		M
Helenium       Pretty flower, but few butterflies ever go to this. M
Helianthus maximiliani Maximilian sunflower     Very tall - cut back twice during the year. M
Helianthus occidentalis Western Sunflower NP Silvery and Gorgone Checkerspot It was too invasive - dug it out M
Helichrysum - Strawflower   HA Painted Lady Try and get the dwarf varieties M
Heliopsis helianthoides Oxeye Sunflower HP   Can easily get 5 foot tall.Trim as necessary. Goldfinch eat these flowers. M
Heliotropium -purple Heliotrope NA     M
Heptacodium miconioides Seven-Son flower NP   Monarchs love this in the fall when it blooms M

Hesperis matronalis

Dames's Rocket HNB Cabbage White

It's a great nectar plant in the spring. Can be invasive - don't plant in country settings.

 M
Hibiscus lasiocarpos Rose Mallow HP Gray Hairstreak   M
HIbiscus syriacus Rose of Sharon HP Gray Hairstreak    
Hollyhocks   HNB Gray Hairstreak Painted Lady possibly M
Humulus Hop Vine HP Question Mark, Comma   M
Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora PeeGee Hydrangea Tree HNP Spring Azure Lays eggs on unopened flower buds. M
Hypericum St. Johns Wort NP   Variety unknown - new for 2005 Dennis B. M
Hyssopus
Nector White 		Nec tor White Hyssop NP  

New for 2006 - 24" tall
Died in 2007

 
Hyssopus
Nector Blue 		Nector Blue Hyssop NP   New for 2006 - 24" tall
Died in 2007 		 
Ilex Holly NP Duskywing Not a traditional butterfly plant but it does attract bees and butterflies in early spring.  

Itea virginica
Little Henry

Virginia Sweetspire - dwarf NP   2005 - Sunlightgardens.com M
Lantana
Bandana Red 		  NA   Height 14" ?  
Lantana Confetti   NA   Hieght 3 feet  
Lantana
Dallas Red 		  NA  

Height 5 feet

 
Lantana
Landmark White 		      Height 20"  
Lantana
Lemon Cream 		  NA   In a pot.  
Lantana
Misc		   NA   In the ground  
Lantana
New Gold 		  NA   Low Growing.  
Lantana
Radiation		   NA   Height 4 feet  
Lantana
Samson		   NA   Ground  
Lantana Sonset   NA   Ground  
Lavandula - Provence Lanender NP   Test for 2005 died 2007  

Lavandula stoechas
Chica Rose

Dwarf Spanish Lavender NP   Test for 2005 - died during winter  
Leucanthemum x superbum 'Becky' Shasta Daisy HNP American Lady Execellent Bloomer
Plant of Merit 		M
Leucanthemum x superbum 'Maximum' Shasta Daisy HNP American Lady    
Liatris aspera
 Rough Blazing Star NP   A good fall bloomer. Birds may eat your seed. M
Liatris ligulistylis Meadow Blazingstar NP   Slow Grower. M
Liatris mucronata Bottlebrush Blazing Star NP     M
Liatris pycnostachya Prairie Blazingstar NP   Tall and needs support. Pretty good.
DIED OUT 		M
Liatris scariosa Eastern Blazing Star NP   Excellent September bloomer. Monarchs love it. M
Liatris spicata Blazing Star NP   Excellent M
Liatris spicata alba Blazing Star - White NP   Excellent M
           
Liatris squarrosa Scaly Blazing Star       M
Lindera benzoin Spicebush HP Spicebush Swallowtail Look for folded over or cut leaves...the caterpillar is inside. M
Ligustrum vulgare Privet - Common NP   Not recommended for country or natural areas. It's too invasive. M
Ligustrum ovalifolium Privet - Golden NP   A good nectar source in the spring.Not recommended for country or natural areas. M
Linaria Toadflax AHN   2007  
Liriodendron tulipfera Tulip Poplar Tree HP Tiger Swallowtail   M
Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal flower NA      
Lobelia speciosa - Fan Scarlet Cardinal flower NA   Wiethop nursery 2007  
Ludwigia althernifolia - Seedbox or False loosestrife HP Buckeye   M
Ludwigia alternifolia Seedbox HP Buckeye x M
Lychnis arkwrightii
Vesuvius 		Vesuvius NP   Test for 2006  
Lychnis chalcedonica Maltese Cross NP   Excellent nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds M
Lychnis chalcedonica - Alba White Maltese Cross NP   New for 2005 - Died ?  
Lychnis coronaria - Rose Campion   NP   Has a beautiful blossom in early spring, but is not a good nectar source. M
Lychnis flos-cuculi Jenny Ragged Robin NP   New for 2005
2007 - pulled out - poor looking 		 
Lychnis vesuvius   NP   New for 2005  
Magnolia virginiana Sweet Bay Magnolia HP Tiger Swallowtail New for 2007 M
Malva Mauritiana   HP Checkered Skipper + Painted Lady x M
Medicago sativa Alfalfa HA Sulphurs Grew well, but loved by rabbits. I had to surround it with a fence. No M
Mentha Mint NP   Invasive - I grow this in a pot. M
Mertensia virginica Virginia bluebells NP   Early spring flower M
Oenothera fruticosa Sundrops N?   Test for 2005 M
Parsley   H Black Swallowtail   M
Origanum vulgare hirtum Greek Oregano NP      
Origanum vulgare Oregano NP      
Penstemon cobaea Purple Beard Tongue HNP Buckeye This is in the same family as Snapdragon. M
Penstemon digitalis - Huskers Red HNP Buckeye   M
Penstemon....palmeri   HNP Buckeye   M
Petalostemon/Dalea purpurea Purple Prairie Clover - HH Orange Sulphur + Dogface Slow grower. - Died Out M
Phlox divaricata
 Wild Sweet William NB   Early nectar source M
Phlox paniculata Garden phlox NP   2007 - mo. wildflowers - EXCELLENT
Blooms a long time. 		 
Phlox paniculata Garden phlox NP   Costco  
Physotegia virginiana Obedient Plant NP   Got this from a friend. It might be invasive. Blooms mid-aug. M
Prarie coneflower   NA     M
Prunus glandulosa Pink Flowering Almond   Tigerswallowtail, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple, + many moths Died out in 2007 - it never did well. M
Prunus Wild cherry H  

Planted in my neighbors yard. 2008

TST, Viceroy, Red-Spotted Purple

M
Ptelea trifoliata Hop-Tree, Wafer Ash HP Giant Swallowtail   M
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Slender Mountain Mint NP   Blooms most of the summer. Good choice. M
Robina pseudacacia Black Locust HP Silver Spotted Skipper   M
Rudbeckia fulgida
Goldstrum		 Coneflower NP
 Silvery and Gorgone Checkerspot

Spreads via underground runners. A bit invasive.

 M
Rudbeckia hirta - Indian Summer
Black-eyed Susan HP Silvery and Gorgone Checkerspot   M
Rudbeckia laciniata Tall Coneflower HNP Silvery and Gorgone Checkerspot   M
Rudbeckia subtomentosa-
Sweet Coneflower HNP Silvery and Gorgone Checkerspot Pulled it out - it's too tall and never draws a butterfly. M
Rudbeckia triloba Brown-eyed Susan HNP Silvery and Gorgone Checkerspot   M
Rudbeckia missourensis Missori Coneflower HNP Silvery and Gorgone Checkerspot   M
Ruta graveolens Rue HP Black Swallowtail and Giant Swallowtail It may cause a rash with some people, but has never caused me any problems. M
Salix discolor
Pussy Willow   Mourning Cloak, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple Tallish. Roots easily in water from cuttings. M
Salix petiolaris Meadow Willow HP Mourning Cloak, Viceroy, Red-spotted Purple Shrublike. 10' M
Salix purpurea nana Dward Blue Leaf Arctic HP  

Nice - small willow. I'm trying to make this into a hedge

 
Salvia azurea Blue Sage NP   MO Native M
Salvia coccinea Coral Nymph HNA Spring Azure

Test for 2005

M
Salvia coccinea Lady in Red HNA Spring Azure

Lays it's eggs in the unopened flower buds

Cloudless Sulphur prefers this as a nectar source.

 M
Salvia elegans Pineapple Sage NA   Test 2005
2006 - IDied 2007		  
Salvia elegans (short) Tangerine Sage NA   Trial for 2007 - Wiethrops  
Salvia - Friesland Friesland Salvia NP   It reseeds! Circle area. M
Salvia greggi   NP   New for 2005  
Salvia lyrata -
Purple volcano 		Purple volcano NP   new for 2005
2006 - not blooming very well in mid-may - It's coming out.		  
Salvia nemorosa
Blue Queen 		  NP   new for 2005  
Salvia nemorosa Resenwein   NP   Died 2007 M
Salvia
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Salvia     Test for 2005 - full sun zone 3.  
Salvia splendens Park's Whopper Lighthouse   NA   Test for 2005
It did not attract much at all. 		 
Salvia, superba
 May Night NP   Excellent M
Salvia....misc   NPA     M
Sanvitalia procumbens Aztec Gold NA   Test for 2005 - 12" - doing poorly, not a butterfly attactor. DIED M
Saponaria officinalis Soapwort or Bouncing Bet NP   A good nectar source , although a bit invasive. M
Scabiosa   NP   A good nectar plant and blooms all summer. M

Scabiosa columbaria
Butterfly Blue

Pincushion Flower NP   Give it space and sun. It doesn't compete well, but the butterflies love it. blooms all summer. Milkdew can be a problem. M

Scabiosa columbaria
Pink Mist

Pincushion Flower NP     M
Scabiosa ochrolewca Pincushion flower NP   Grows well but few butterflies on it. Died 2007 M
Sedum herbstfreude
Autumn Joy 		Sedum NP   New for 2006  
Sedum.....large   NP