Privacy Hedges Attract Butterflies

By Gary Noel Ross
Published on January 22, 2015
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A pair of butterflies stake their claim on a tree surrounded by wildflowers.
A pair of butterflies stake their claim on a tree surrounded by wildflowers.
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A butterfly rests on a flowering branch of apricot.
A butterfly rests on a flowering branch of apricot.
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An azure butterfly sits on a dogwood flower.
An azure butterfly sits on a dogwood flower.
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A mourning clock butterfly recently emerged from the chrysalis.
A mourning clock butterfly recently emerged from the chrysalis.
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Multiple butterflies gather on common milkweed near a fencerow.
Multiple butterflies gather on common milkweed near a fencerow.
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A red-spotted purple butterfly rests on a branch; females often lay eggs on cherry or willow leaves near forest edges.
A red-spotted purple butterfly rests on a branch; females often lay eggs on cherry or willow leaves near forest edges.
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A giant swallowtail caterpillar on a plant.
A giant swallowtail caterpillar on a plant.
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A painted lady rests on a plant; this species is one of the most widespread butterfly species in the world.
A painted lady rests on a plant; this species is one of the most widespread butterfly species in the world.
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A tiger swallowtail sits on a plant; this species prefers nectar from plants with red or pink flowers.
A tiger swallowtail sits on a plant; this species prefers nectar from plants with red or pink flowers.
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A question mark butterfly rests on a tree trunk.
A question mark butterfly rests on a tree trunk.
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A zebra swallowtail butterfly drinking nectar from phlox.
A zebra swallowtail butterfly drinking nectar from phlox.

Butterflies and flowers could be considered a match made in heaven. Flowers provide butterflies with sugary nectars for food. Butterflies in turn transfer pollen from one flower to another — a process called pollination — which guarantees fruit and seed production. This interaction is a poignant example of Earth’s “tapestry of life.”

However, while it is true that butterflies prefer specific plants for feeding, especially flowering annuals and perennials, they most often select other varieties of plants for reproduction. Remember that butterflies have a metamorphic life cycle consisting of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (butterfly). The plants that trigger egg-laying by female butterflies are called hosts or host plants. While the majority of these are also flowering annuals or perennials, surprisingly many are actually trees and tall shrubs.

Take my home state of Louisiana, for example. As an entomologist I have documented proof that of the state’s 125 resident butterfly species, at least 40 lay their eggs on trees and tall shrubs. That’s 32 percent. Oaks rank the highest, being utilized by 12 butterfly species. Of course, geography plays a role, so both butterfly species and host trees vary from region to region. Regardless of locality, however, certain trees habitually rank as important butterfly hosts, and these should be embraced by butterfly stewards.

About plant hosts

By their very nature, trees grow tall and produce shade, which is great for homeowners, but disastrous for the garden’s sun-loving, butterfly-friendly plants. There are reasonable solutions, though.

For urban homeowners, host trees can be positioned a slight distance from the actual garden, which will eliminate shade within the garden. Another alternative is to plant trees and shrubs along property lines.

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