Native Virginia Plants for Butterfly Gardens

Overview

From mountains to coast, Virginia offers abundant native plants for butterfly gardens. Create complete habitat with both nectar sources (adult food) and host plants (caterpillar food) to support full life cycles and attract diverse species.

Key Native Plant Groups

Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.)

Essential for monarchs—leaves are sole caterpillar food, making them toxic to predators. Virginia natives: common milkweed, swamp milkweed, butterfly weed. All share similar growing requirements.

Phlox (Phlox spp.)

Multiple native varieties (thick-leaf, wild blue, summer, creeping, moss) in rich fields, woods, meadows. Colorful, long-blooming, easy care. Attract skippers, swallowtails, common buckeyes, and others.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

Large shrub (6-10 feet) with aromatic leaves, red-yellow berries, and earliest spring blooms for post-winter nectar. Host for spicebush swallowtail. Hardy once established in moist sites (swamps, wet woodlands).

Wild Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

Elegant 50-60 foot tree in old fields and moist woods. Spring blossoms attract diverse butterflies. Produces edible fruit. Host for eastern tiger swallowtail and red/white admirals.