Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a low deciduous shrub that is native to the northern United States, the higher elevations of the southwest, and Canada. This plant is a host to the Spring Azure butterfly (Celastrina…
Iowa Milkweed Species to Include in your Butterfly Garden There are seventeen native species of Iowa milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies and other insects. Milkweeds are an important host species…
Kansas Milkweed Species to Include in your Butterfly Garden There are twenty-one species of native Kansas milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and one historic species that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies and other insects. Milkweeds are…
Texas Milkweed (Asclepias texana) is a herbaceous perennial that is native to the state of Texas in the United States and adjacent Mexico. This plant is a host to the Queen (Danaus gilippus) and Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies. Growing from 8″ to 3 feet tall, this species has white flowers that bloom from May to August. It is hardy in zone 6.
Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) is a tree that is native to the mid-west and eastern United States and Canada. This plant is a host to the Spring Azure butterfly (Celastrina ladon) and the Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia). Growing from 10 to 15 feet tall, this species has yellow to white flowers that bloom from April to June It is hardy in zones 3-7.
Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus alba) is a shrub that is native to the northeast, north-central, the western United States including Alaska, and most of Canada. This plant is a host to the Spring Azure (Celastrina…
There are eighteen native species of Illinois milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and one adventive species that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies and other insects. Milkweeds are an important host species for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies. The Monarch butterfly in particular uses the cardenolides found in the milky sap of milkweeds to give an unpleasant taste to predators. These plants are also an important nectar source to all insects visiting your pollinator garden.
North Dakota Milkweed Species to Include in your Butterfly Garden There are eight species of native North Dakota milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) and one historic species that can be grown for Monarch Butterflies and other insects.…
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is a tree that is native to the south-central, mid-west, and eastern United States, and the province of Ontario in Canada. This plant is a host to the Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon), the Io Moth (Automeris io), and the Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia). Growing from 15 to 40 feet tall, this species has white, pink, green, to yellow flowers that bloom from March to May. It is hardy in zones 5-9.