California Gardens - The Year Round Gardening Site

Butterfly Garden

The butterfly garden is wonderful fun for kids and adults alike. When you design your own butterfly garden you will want to provide for all stages of the butterfly life cycle; eggs, caterpillars and adults. Butterfly caterpillars eat different plants than butterfly adults. Butterfly adults generally eat nectar. And caterpillars eat leaves. You will also want some still water for butterflies to drink. A birdbath can often give a butterfly a necessary drink. Swallowtails will often congregate around wet gravel.

The passion vines (passiflora species) are famous for providing the Gulf Fritillary caterpillars plenty of food. And the Monarch Butterfly has a special relationship with milkweed. The list of nectar plants for butterfly adults to feed upon is lengthy and often very specific to the kind of butterfly that will come to feed.

A walk through my garden taking time to smell the roses and watch a hummingbird and Gulf Fritillary pollenate Scabiosa Black Knight

A courtyard or enclosed space can provide a still environment so the wind does not wreck havoc with the movement of the butterflies. A south facing wall will warm the air and allow for an extended day of flight for your butterflies.

It is fascinating to watch a butterfly flit through a garden. It seems like they have no preferred destination at all. But they will almost always alight on the same kinds of plants.

Easy gardening nectar plants include Eriogonum species, Salvia species, Ceanothus species, and Lupine Species. The list of plants that butterflies will visit is not even close to being complete. Butterflies will visit many other plants. The ones on our list are particularly noted for growing well in California's gardens and attracting the following butterflies.

Bronze Fennel in a Butterfly Garden

Plants for your Butterfly Garden

Abelia grandiflora ~ Monarch Butterfly
Abronia villosa ~ Painted Lady, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Abutilon palmeri ~ Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Achillea Apple Blossom ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea cerise queen ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea clavennae ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea Desert Paprika ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea filipendulina Coronation Gold ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea kellereri ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea Moonshine ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea Paprika ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea Pomegranate ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea ptarmica ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea Salmon Beauty ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea Sonoma Coast ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea Terracotta ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue
Achillea tomentosa ~ Variable Checkerspot, Mormon Metalmark, California Common Ringlet, Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper, Marine Blue, Variable Checkerspot, Marine Blue
Acmispon glaber ~ Acmon Blue, Marine Blue, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur, Orange Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing
Adenostoma fasciculatum ~ Spring Azure, Marine Blue, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Agapanthus ~ Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Agastache aurantiaca apricot sunrise ~ Monarch Butterfly, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Agoseris grandiflora ~ Variable Checkerspot
Althea rosea ~ Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Alyogyne hakeifolia ~ Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Alyogyne Monterey Bay ~ Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Alyogyne Mood Indigo ~ Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Alyogyne Santa Cruz ~ Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Amaranthus ~ Mournful Duskywing
Amorpha californica ~ California Dogface
Amsinkia tessellata ~ Painted Lady
Anchusa capensis ~ Painted Lady
Anthemis tinctoria ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye
Antirrhinum multiflorum ~ Common Buckeye
Apocynum cannabinum ~ Chekerspot, Frittilary, Painted Lady, Skipper, Swallowtail
Aquilegia caerulea ~ Sphinx Moth
Aquilegia formosa ~ Sphinx Moth
Araujia sercifera ~ Caterpillar food for Monarch Butterfly
Arbutus Marina ~ Monarch Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur
Arbutus unedo ~ Monarch Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur
Arctostaphylos edmundsii Danville ~ Monarch Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur
Arctostaphylos Howard McMinn ~ Monarch Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur
Arctostaphylos insularis ~ Monarch Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur
Arctostaphylos Pacific Mist ~ Monarch Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur
Arctotis Opera Rose ~ Painted Lady
Argyranthemum Chelsea Girl ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye
Argyranthemum Madeira Cherry Red ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye
Argyranthemum Silver Lady ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye
Aristolochia littoralis ~ Pipevine Swallowtail
Aristolochia littoralis ~ Pipevine Swallowtail
Aristolochia littoralis ~ Pipevine Swallowtail
Aristolochia gigantea ~ Pipevine Swallowtail
Aristolochia macroura ~ Pipevine Swallowtail
Asclepias angustifolia ~ Monarch Butterfly, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady, Tarantula Hawk
Asclepias californica ~ Monarch Butterfly, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Asclepias cordifolia ~ Monarch Butterfly, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Asclepias curassavica ~ Monarch Butterfly, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady, Tarantula Hawk
Asclepias curassavica Red Butterflies ~ Monarch Butterfly, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady, Tarantula Hawk
Asclepias curassavica Silky Gold ~ Monarch Butterfly, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady, Tarantula Hawk
Asclepias eriocarpa ~ Monarch Butterfly, Painted Lady, Tarantula Hawk
Asclepias erosa ~ Monarch Butterfly, Painted Lady, Tarantula Hawk
Asclepias fascicularis ~ Monarch Butterfly, Painted Lady
Asclepias liniaria ~ Monarch Butterfly
Asclepias speciosa ~ Monarch Butterfly, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Asclepias subulata ~ Monarch Butterfly, California Hairstreak
Ascelpias tuberosa ~ Monarch Butterfly
Aster chilensis ~ Common Buckeye, Fiery Skipper, Gray Hairstreak, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing, Cloudless Sulfur, Marine Blue, Northern White Skipper
Aster chilensis Purple Haze ~ Common Buckeye, Fiery Skipper, Gray Hairstreak, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing, Cloudless Sulfur, Marine Blue, Northern White Skipper
Asteriscus maritimus ~ Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Orange Sulfur
Asteriscus sericeus ~ Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Orange Sulfur
Azalea ~ Giant Swallowtail
Baccharis pilularis ~ Common Buckeye, Marine Blue, Spring Azure
Baileya multiradiata ~ Painted Lady, Variable Checkerspot, Gray Hairstreak
Beloperone californica ~ Painted Lady, Cloudless Sulfur
Beloperone californica Tecate Gold ~ Painted Lady, Cloudless Sulfur
Bidens Painted Red ~ Common Buckeye, Skippers, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Bougainvillea Barbara Karst ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Bougainvillea Flame ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Bougainvillea Rosenka ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Buddleia Black Knight ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddleia Blue Ribbon ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddliea Color Crush ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddleia Harlequin ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddleia Honeycomb ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Budleia lindleyana ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddleia Lochinch ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddleia marrubifolia ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddleia Miss Molly ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddliea Nanho Purple ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddleia Pink Delight ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Buddleia White Profusion ~ Monarch, Gulf Fritillary, Red Admiral, Swallowtails, Mourning Cloak, Umber Skipper
Caesalpinia californica ~ California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur
Caesalpinia gilliesii ~ California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur
Caesalpina pulcherrima ~ California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur
Calliandra californica ~ Monarch, Cloudless Sulfur, California Dogface, Gray Hairstreak, and the Sara Orangetip, Spring Azure
Calliandra eriophylla ~ Monarch, Cloudless Sulfur, California Dogface, Gray Hairstreak, and the Sara Orangetip, Spring Azure
Calliandra haematocephala ~ Monarch, Cloudless Sulfur, California Dogface, Gray Hairstreak, and the Sara Orangetip, Spring Azure
Calliandra haematocephala alba ~ Monarch, Cloudless Sulfur, California Dogface, Gray Hairstreak, and the Sara Orangetip, Spring Azure
Calliandra tweedii ~ Monarch, Cloudless Sulfur, California Dogface, Gray Hairstreak, and the Sara Orangetip, Spring Azure
Camissonia boothii condensata ~ Painted Lady
Cassia artemisioides ~ Cloudless Sulfur Larval Food,Marine Blue, Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Orange Sulfur
Cassia leptophylla ~ Cloudless Sulfur Larval Food
Cassia purpusii ~ Cloudless Sulfur Larval Food,Marine Blue, Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Orange Sulfur
Castelleja affinis * Variable Checkerspot, Common Buckeye
Castilleja exserta * Variable Checkerspot
Ceanothus ~ Spring Azure, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Common Buckeye, California tortoise shell, California hairstreak
Centaurea cyanus Black Gem ~ Painted Lady, Gray Hairstreak, Umber Skipper
Centaurea gymnocarpa ~ Painted Lady, Monarch Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur
Centaurea montana ~ Painted Lady, Monarch Butterfly, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur
Centranthus ruber ~ Mournful Duskywing, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Umber Skipper
Cercis occidentalis ~ Mormon Metalmark, Mournful Duskywing, Gray Hairstreak
Chrysactinia mexicana ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Orange Sulfur, Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak
Chrysothamnus nauseosus ~ Common Buckeye, Spring Azure, Mournful Duskywing
Cirsium occidentale ~ Painted Lady, Cloudless Sulfur
Collinsia heterophylla ~ Variable Checkerspot, Spring Azure
Collinsia tinctoria ~ Spring AzureVariable Checkerspot
Convolvulus sabatius ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Cosmos sulphureus ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Orange Sulfur, Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Common Buckeye
Dalea frutscens ~ California Dogface, Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Orange Sulfur
Delphinium occidentale ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Swallowtail
Delphinium patens ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Swallowtail
Dicliptera suberecta ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Diplacus aurantiacus ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Diplacus longiflorus ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Dodecatheon clevelandii ~ Gray Blue, Arctic Blue
Dudleya lanceolata ~ Sonoran Blue
Duranta erecta ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Monarch, Giant Swallowtail
Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia californica Paleo Yellow ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Echinacea purpurea ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia californica Paleo Yellow ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Echinacea Salsa Red ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia californica Paleo Yellow ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Echinacea Sunset ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia californica Paleo Yellow ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Echinacea White Swan ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia californica Paleo Yellow ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia californica ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia californica Paleo Yellow ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia farinosa ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Encelia ventorum ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Eremalche rotundifolia ~ Northern White Skipper, Painted Lady
Ericameria linearifolia ~ Common Buckeye, Mournful Duskywing, Gray Hairstreak, Spring Azure
Ericameria nauseosa ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Eremothera boothii condensata ~ Painted Lady, Mormon Metalmark
Eremothera boothii decorticans ~ Painted Lady, Mormon Metalmark
Erigeron argentatus ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye
Erigeron blochmaniae ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Erigeron foliosus foliosus ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Erigeron Bountiful ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Erigeron Cape Sebastian ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Erigeron karvinskianaus ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Erigeron Sea Breeze ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Erigeron speciosus ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Erigeron Wayne Roderick ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Eriodictyon crassifolium ~ Checkerspots, Common Buckeye, Swallowtails and more
Eriogonum arboresens ~ Spring Azure, Mournful Duskywing, Gray Hairstreak, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum cinereum ~ Mormon Metalmark, Mournful Duskywing, Spring Azure, Gray Hairstreak, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum crocatum ~ Spring Azure, Gray Hairstreak, Mournful Duskywing, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum fasciculatum ~ Lupine Blue, Mormon Metalmark, Mournful Duskywing, Spring Azure, Gray Hairstreak, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum fasciculatum Warriner Lytle ~ Lupine Blue, Mormon Metalmark, Mournful Duskywing, Spring Azure, Gray Hairstreak, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum grande rubescens ~ Spring Azure, Gray Hairstreak, Mournful Duskywing, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum incanum ~ Lupine Blue, Mournful Duskywing, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum latifolium ~ Spring Azure, Lupine Blue, Mournful Duskywing, Gray Hairstreak, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum parvifolium ~ Spring Azure, Lupine Blue, Mournful Duskywing, Gray Hairstreak, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriognoum umbellatum ~ Spring Azure, Lupine Blue, Mournful Duskywing, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eriogonum wrightii ~ Spring Azure, Lupine Blue, Mournful Duskywing, Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak
Eryngium planum ~ Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Eryngium variifolium ~ Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Eryngium yuccifolium ~ Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Erysimum Apricot Twist ~ Mormon Metalmark, Great Purple Hairstreak, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Umber Skipper
Erysimum Bowles Mauve ~ Mormon Metalmark, Great Purple Hairstreak, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Umber Skipper, Variable Checkerspot
Erysimum capitatum ~ Mormon Metalmark, Great Purple Hairstreak, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Umber Skipper, Variable Checkerspot
Erysimum Jenny Brook ~ Mormon Metalmark, Great Purple Hairstreak, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Umber Skipper, Variable Checkerspot
Erysimum linifolium variegatum ~ Mormon Metalmark, Great Purple Hairstreak, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Umber Skipper, Variable Checkerspot
Evolvulus nuttallianus ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Foeniculum vulgare ~ Anise Swallowtail
Fouquieria splendens ~ Monarch
Fraxinus dipetala ~ Pale Tiger Swallowtail
Gaillardia aristata Arizona Apricot ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Common Buckeye
Gaillardia grandiflora Mesa Red ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Common Buckeye
Geranium richardsonii ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Gilia capitata ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot, Sara Orangetip
Gilia latifolia ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot, Sara Orangetip
Gnaphalium californicum ~ Painted Lady
Gomphocarpus fruticosus ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly larval food, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak
Gomphocarpus physocarpus ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly larval food, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak
Grindelia camporum ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Grindelia camporum ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Grindelia stricta ~ Common Buckeye, Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur
Heteromeles arbutifolia ~ Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak, Pale Tiger Swallowtail
Hibiscus lasiocarpos (H. californicus) ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper
Hibiscus sabdariffa ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Hibiscus syriacus Jeanne D'Arc ~ Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Hibiscus syriacus Lavender Chiffon ~ Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Holodiscus discolor ~ Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Lorquin's Admiral
Hyptis emoryi Silver Lining ~ Nectar source for Monarch Butterfly, Spring Azure and others
Hibiscus syriacus Minerva ~ Painted Lady, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Isocoma menziesii ~ Mournful Duskywing, Great Purple Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, Painted Lady
Justicia californica ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Justicia californica Tecate Gold ~ Painted Lady, Cloudless Sulfur
Justicia Fruit Salad ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Justicia fulvicoma ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Justicia Jambalaya ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Justicia leonardii ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Fiery Skipper
Justicia rizzinii ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Fiery Skipper
Justicia suberecta ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Fiery Skipper
Keckiella antirrhinoides ~ Variable Checkerspot, Common Buckeye
Keckiella breviflora ~ Variable Checkerspot, Common Buckeye
Keckiella cordifolia ~ Variable Checkerspot, Common Buckeye
Keckiella ternata ~ Variable Checkerspot, Common Buckeye
Lantana Luscious Citrus Blend ~ California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Orange Sulfur, Monarch Butterfly, Fiery Skipper, Giant Swallowtail
Lantana variegata Lemon Swirl ~ California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Orange Sulfur, Monarch Butterfly, Fiery Skipper, Giant Swallowtail
Lathyrus sativus azureus ~ Monarch Butterfly, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Spring Azure, Marine Blue
Lavandula allardii Meerlo ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula angustifolia Hidcote ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula dentata ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula dentata candicans ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula Fred Boutin ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula Goodwin Creek Grey ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula Grosso ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula heterophylla ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula multifida ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula pinnata buchii ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavandula provence ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Sara Orangetip, California Dogface Butterfly
Lavatera assurgentiflora ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Lavatera Barnsley ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Lavatera bicolor ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Lavatera purisima ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Leonotis menthifolia ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing, Spring Azure
Lepechinia fragrans El Tigre ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing, Spring Azure, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper
Lepechinia calycina ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing, Spring Azure, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper
Lepechinia hastata ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing, Spring Azure, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper
Lepechinia salviae ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing, Spring Azure, Northern White Skipper, White Checkered Skipper
Lessingia filaginafolia ~ Painted Lady, California Dogface, Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak, Great Purple Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Leucanthemum superbum ~ Gray Hairstreak, Painted Lady
Leucophyllum frutescens ~ Variable Checkerspot
Leucophyllum Green Cloud ~ Variable Checkerspot
Leucophyllum laevigatum ~ Variable Checkerspot
Lobelia cardinalis ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Painted Lady, Monarch
Lobelia excelsa ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Painted Lady, Monarch
Lobelia laxiflora ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Painted Lady, Monarch
Lomatium dasycarpum ~ Anise Swallowtail
Lonicera ciliosa ~ Gulf Fritillary, Variable Checkerspot, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Lonicera japonica ~ Great Ash Sphinx Moth, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Gulf Frittilary
Lonicera japonica purpurea ~ Great Ash Sphinx Moth, Giant Swallowtail, Gulf Frittilary
Lotus crassifolius otayensis ~ Acmon Blue, Marine Blue, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur, Orange Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing
Lotus scoparius ~ Acmon Blue, Marine Blue, Spring Azure, Cloudless Sulfur, Orange Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing
Lupinus arizonicus ~ Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Orange Sulphur
Lupinus bicolor ~ Blue's, Gray Hairstreaks, Orange Sulphur
Lupinus chamissonis ~ Blue's,Gray Hairstreak, Orange Sulphur
Lupinus exubitus ~ Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Orange Sulphur, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Lupinus grayi ~ Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Orange Sulphur, White Lined Sphinx Moth
Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Orange Sulphur
Lupinus stiversii ~ Marine Blue, Gray Hairstreak, Orange Sulphur
Lupinus succulentus ~ West Coast Lady, Orange Sulphur
Lupinus truncatus ~ West Coast Lady, Orange Sulphur

Malacothamnus clementinus ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Northern White Skipper, Painted Lady, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Malacothamnus davidsonii ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Northern White Skipper, Painted Lady, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Malacothamnus densiflorus ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Northern White Skipper, Painted Lady, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Malacothamnus fasciculatus ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Northern White Skipper, Painted Lady, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Mimulus aurantiacus ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus bigelovii ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus flemingii ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus Georgie Red ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus Jelly Bean Dark Pink ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus Jack ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus longiflorus ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus Midnight ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus puniceus ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Mimulus Ruby Silver ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Monarda didyma ~ White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Gulf Fritillary
Monarda fistulosa ~ White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Gulf Fritillary
Monardella lanceolata ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Red Admiral, Monarch Butterfly, Swallowtail, Painted Lady, California Dogface, Mournful Duskywing
Monardella odoratissima ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Red Admiral, Monarch Butterfly, Swallowtail, Painted Lady, California Dogface, Mournful Duskywing
Nepeta faassenii ~ Fiery Skipper
Orthocarpus purpurascens ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Osteospermum ecklonis Blue Eyed Beauty ~ Painted Lady
Osteospermum ecklonis Spider White ~ Painted Lady
Oenothera cespitosa ~ White Lined Sphinx Moth
Osteospermum Bright Lights ~ Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, California Common Ringlet, Mormon Metalmark, Mournful Duskywing
Osteospermum fruticosum ~ Painted Lady, Great Purple Hairstreak, Gray Hairstreak, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, California Common Ringlet, Mormon Metalmark, Mournful Duskywing
Passiflora alata ~ Gulf Fritillary
Passiflora caerulea ~ Gulf Fritillary
Passiflora Incense ~ Gulf Fritillary
Pavonia missionum ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Pavonia praemorsa ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Penstemon apple blossom ~ Variable Checkerspot
Penstemon centrathifolius ~ Variable Checkerspot
Penstemon eatonii ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Penstemon grinnellii ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Penstemon heterophyllus ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Penstemon Margarita BOP ~ Variable Checkerspot
Penstemon palmeri ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Penstemon Red Rocks ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Penstemon spectabilis ~ Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Penstemon triflorus * Variable Checkerspot, Anicia Checkerspot
Pentas lanceolata ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, California Dogface Butterfly, Gulf Frittilary, Painted Lady
Pentas Butterfly White ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, California Dogface Butterfly, Gulf Frittilary, Painted Lady
Pentas lanceolata Kaleidoscope Appleblossom ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, California Dogface Butterfly, Gulf Frittilary, Painted Lady
Perovskia atriplicifolia ~ Fiery Skipper
Phlox subulata ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Anise Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Pipevine Swallowtail
Phyla nodiflora ~ Common Buckeye larval food for Crescent Butterflies
Pickeringia montana ~ Marine Blue
Phygelius African Queen ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Phygelius African Queen ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Phygelius capensis ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Phygelius Moonraker ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Phygelius Pink Sensation ~ Common Buckeye, Variable Checkerspot
Platanus racemosa ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail
Plumbago auriculata ~ Marine Blue, Red Admiral
Plumeria Celadine~ Monarch, Gray Hairstreak
Populus fremontii * Western Tiger Swallowtail
Populus fremontii * Lorquin's Admiral
Prunus andersonii * Glovers Silk Moth
Prunus ilicifolia ~ Pale Swallowtail, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Lorquin's Admiral
Prunus ilicifolia lyonii ~ Pale Swallowtail, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Lorquin's Admiral
Prunus ilicifolia lyonii ~ Pale Swallowtail, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Lorquin's Admiral
Ptelea crenulata ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail
Quercus agrifolia ~ California Sister
Ratibida columnifera * Common Buckeye, Painted Lady
Rhamnus californica * Pale Tiger Swallowtail
Rhamnus crocea * Pale Tiger Swallowtail
Rudbeckia Tiger Eye ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Painted Lady, California Dogface, Orange Sulfur, Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Gray Hairstreak
Ruellia brittoniana ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Salix lasiolepis ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail, Mourning Cloak, Viceroy, Red Admiral, Lorquin's Admiral
Salvia Allen Chickering ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly. Mournful Duskywing
Salvia brandegeei ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia candelabrum ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia Celestial Blue ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia chionopeplica ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing, Pipevine Swallowtail, Sara Orangetip
Salvia clevelandii ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia coahuilensis ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia coccinea Lady in Red ~ Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia Deseperado ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia dorrii ~ Cloudless Sulfur
Salvia lemmonii ~ Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia greggii La Playa Rosa ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia leucantha ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia leucantha Danielle's Dream ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia leucantha Midnight ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia leucantha Santa Barbara ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia leucantha White Mischief ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia leucophylla Amethyst Bluff ~ Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia leucophylla Bee's Bliss ~ Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia leucophylla Point Sal Spreader ~ Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia mellifera ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia mellifera Green Carpet ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia mellifera Skylark ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia microphylla ~ Gulf Fritillary
Salvia muirii ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia munzii Emerald Cascade ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia Pozo Blue ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia sonomensis Mrs Beard ~ Painted Lady, Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, California Dogface Butterfly, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia sclarea ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, California Dogface Butterfly, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia Terra Seca ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, California Dogface Butterfly, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, Mournful Duskywing
Salvia uliginosa ~ Mournful Duskywing, California Dogface Butterfly
Salvia Winifred Gilman ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Checkerspots, Gulf Fritillary, Gray Hairstreak, Fiery Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly
Scabiosa Black Knight ~ Gray Hairstreak,Fiery Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Scabiosa Blue Butterfly ~ Fiery Skipper, Gray Hairstreak, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Scabiosa caucasica ~ Fiery Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Scabiosa columbaria ~ Gray Hairstreak,Fiery Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Scabiosa cretica ~ Gray Hairstreak,Fiery Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Scabiosa Fama Blue ~ Fiery Skipper, Gray Hairstreak, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Scabiosa farinosa ~ Gray Hairstreak,Fiery Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Scabiosa ochroleuca ~ Gray Hairstreak,Fiery Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Scabiosa Royal Ruby ~ Gray Hairstreak,Fiery Skipper, Variable Checkerspot, Gulf Fritillary
Cassia artemisioides ~ Cloudless Sulfur Larval Food, Marine Blue, Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Orange Sulfur
Senna purpusii ~ Cloudless Sulfur Larval Food, Marine Blue, Dwarf Yellow Sulfur, Orange Sulfur
Sidalcea malviflora ~ Larval food for blues, Spring Azure, Marine Blue
Sphaeralcea ambigua ~ Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Sphaeralcea ambigua Louis Hamilton ~ Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Sphaeralcea ambigua rosacea ~ Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Sphaeralcea Fulva de Luna ~ Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Sphaeralcea philippiana ~ Painted Lady, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper
Spiraea cantoniensis ~ Fiery Skipper, Red Admiral, Lorquin's Admiral
Solidago californica ~ Monarch Butterfly, Painted Lady, Skipper, Mournful Duskywing, Checkerspot, Giant Swallowtail
Stachys albens ~ Variable Checkerspot
Symphyotrichon chilense ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Common Buckeye, Fiery Skipper, Northern White Skipper, California Dogface Butterfly, Cloudless Sulfur, Mournful Duskywing, Marine Blue
Tagetes lemonii ~ Dwarf Yellow Sulfur
Tagetes lucida ~ Dwarf Yellow Sulfur
Tetraneuris acaulis ~ Monarch, Common Buckeye, Painted Lady, Cloudless Sulfur, White Checkered Skipper, Northern White Skipper, Mormon Metalmark, Gray Hairstreak, Spring Azure Tithonia rotundifolia ~ Monarch Butterfly, Painted Lady, Gray Hairstreak, Skipper, Checkerspot
Trichostema lanatum ~ Cloudless Sulfur, California Dogface Butterfly, Monarch Butterfly, Variable Checkerspot, Umber Skipper, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Trichostema lanceolatum ~ Cloudless Sulfur, California Dogface Butterfly, Monarch Butterfly, Variable Checkerspot, Umber Skipper, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Trichostema Midnight Magic ~ Cloudless Sulfur, California Dogface Butterfly, Monarch Butterfly, Western Tiger Swallowtail
Trifolium willdenovii ~ Spring Azure, Orange Sulfur, Gray Hairstreak
Tulbaghia fragrans ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail
Tulbaghia violacea ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail
Tulbaghia violacea Savannah Lightning ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail
Urtica dioica gracilis ~ Red Admiral, Painted Lady
Vaccinium ~ Dwarf Yellow Sulpher, Spring Azure
Venegasia carpesioides ~ Cloudless Sulfur, Variable Checkerspot, Painted Lady
Verbascum chaixii album ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch
Verbascum Southern Charm ~ Western Tiger Swallowtail, Pale Tiger Swallowtail, Monarch
Verbena bonariensis ~ Gulf Fritillary, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Monarch
Verbena bonariensis Little One ~ Gulf Fritillary, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Monarch
Verbena rigida ~ Gulf Fritillary, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, Monarch, Gulf Fritillary
Yucca brevifolia ~ Giant White Skipper