Our Garden

Our garden is planted with predominantly native plants. The few foreign plants that we have are non-invasive and are either excellent nectar sources for adult butterflies (butterfly bush and blue mist shrub) or were selected for another purpose (rosemary and marigolds to repel deer). Most are native to NC, although some are native to the eastern US but not to NC, or to other parts of the US altogether. This is indicated on the table that follows.

The table shows a photo of each plant, along with the common name, the scientific name, and whether the plant provides nectar for adult butterflies and/or hummingbirds, and whether it is a larval food source for caterpillars. Although butterfly caterpillars are generally identified by their adult species name, moths are often named by their caterpillar, ie the tobacco budworm moth, or the wooly bear caterpillar moth. Thus under “Larval for…” you will find names that sound like caterpillars with looper or geometer (for inchworms) or worm. Many say “and others”, because many caterpillars eat a variety of native herbaceous plants in a given family and we don’t have comprehensive lists for all. Virginia tiger moth, the adult of the yellow bear caterpillar, has been added to many lists because we have personally found it on those plants at the garden.

The scientific name contains a link to a website to get more information about that plant. That site may be the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the USDA Plant Database, the Floridata website, or in a few cases to the Niche Garden website where we got the plant if it is a named cultivar. The plants are organized first by plant type (Shrub, Perennial and Vine), and then alphabetical by plant family name, and within each plant family, they are alphabetical by scientific name.

Shrubs

Plant	Common Name	Scientific Name	Description	Wildlife Use
	New Jersey Tea	Ceanothus americanus, (Buckthorn family)	3 ft high, deciduous shrub, spring bloom, Native in US east of Rockies, incl. NC	Nectar; Larval for Spring Azure, Summer Azure, Cleft-headed looper, Crocus geometer, other loopers,Unicorn caterpillar
	Butterfly bush, Petite indigo	Buddleia davidii, aka Buddleja davidii, (Butterfly bush family)	Not native, this variety only gets 4’ high, buddleia comes in many colors	Nectar attracts large numbers of butterflies, but no caterpillars feed on it. Grasshoppers do though, in my experience.
	Swamp mallow, Scarlet rose mallow, Scarlet hibiscus	Hibiscus coccineus (Mallow family)	Shrubby perennial, dies back completely, bloom summer and fall. Likes moist, watery soil; 5-7 lobed leaves; Native to east US	Nectar; ; Larval for common checkered skipper and other spread wing skippers; Larval for Io moth, Glossy black Idia, Yellow Scallop Moth; also for Hibiscus Sawfly larva of a small wasp, not a caterpillar, but eats leaves)
	Swamp mallow, Swamp hibiscus, Rose mallow	Hibiscus moscheutos (mallow family)	Unlobed leaves; ours has orange flower; summer bloom, large flowers, Native to east US	Nectar; ; Larval for common checkered skipper and other spread wing skippers; Larval for Io moth, Glossy black Idia, Yellow Scallop Moth; also for Hibiscus Sawfly larva of a small wasp, not a caterpillar, but eats leaves)
	Seashore Mallow	Kosteletskya virginica (Mallow family)	Native to coastal plain from FL to MD, pink flowers, fall blooms, likes moist soil, sand	Nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds; not deer resistant; Larval for common checkered skipper and other spread wing skippers; Larval for Io moth, Glossy black Idia, Yellow Scallop Moth; also for Hibiscus Sawfly larva of a small wasp, not a caterpillar, but eats leaves)
	Rosemary	Rosemarinus officianalis (Mint family)	Not native, aromatic herb	Loved by bees; planted to repel deer from garden
	Virginia sweetspire	Itea virginica ‘saturnalia’ (Saxifrage family)	White, summer blooms; red fall foliage; native to NC and east US	Nectar source.
	Coastal sweet pepperbush	Clethra alnifolia (Sweet-Pepperbush family)	4-5 ft, white flowers, early to mid summer	Nectar; larval for large lace borer and unicorn caterpillar
$C:\Users\Karen\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\grey hairstreak on mistflower.jpg$	Blue mist shrub, ‘Dark Knight’	Caryopteris x clandonensis hybrid (Verbena family)	Not native, summer blooms, very attractive to butterflies and bees; spreads by suckers	Larval source (amongst others) for yellow bear caterpillars

Perennials

Plant	Common Name	Scientific Name	Description	Wildlife Use
	White wood aster, ‘Eastern Star’	Aster divarticus, aka Eurybia divaricate (Aster family)	White, fall flowers, Native to NC and east US, likes part shade, acid soil	Nectar; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Green and gold	Chrysogonum virginianium (Aster family)	Groundcover, yellow flowers Apr-Oct; native to NC and SE US	Nectar. Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Lobed coreopsis “pinwheel”	Coreopsis auriculata hybrid (Aster family)	Yellow, spring and summer flowers; basal rosette leaves last through winter; native to NC and SE US; this cultivar has larger, longer lasting flowers than original	Nectar, seeds for birds; ; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common Tan Wave, Common Pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Threadleaf coreopsis	Coreopsis verticillata (Aster family)	Yellow, summer blooms; native to NC and SE US ; drought tolerant’ leaves narrow	Nectar; birds love seeds; ; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common Tan Wave, Common Pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Blue mistflower	Conoclinium coelestinum, previously Eupatorium coelestinum (Aster family)	Blue-purple flowers, summer to fall, native to NC and East US; can spread aggressively;	Nectar; Larval for many Haploa moths, for the Yellow-winged Pareucheutes moth, the Virginia Tiger moth, and others.
	Purple coneflower, several color cultivars in the garden	Echinacea purpurea (Aster family)	Native to East US, incl. NC; summer blooms, long lasting; finches love the seeds	Nectar, hummingbirds, seeds; Larval for saddleback caterpillars, pearl crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark spotted palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and more
	Sweet Joe-pye Weed	Eupatorium purpureum (Aster family)	2-6 ft, blooms July-Sept; Native eastern US incl. NC`	Nectar; honey; Larval for common pug, for many Haploa moths, for the Yellow-winged Pareucheutes moth, the Virginia tiger moth, and others.
	Chocolate boneset; ake chocolate Joe-pye weed; aka chocolate white snakeroot	Eupatorium rugosum “chocolate”; aka Ageratina altissima “chocolate” (Aster family)	White flowers, brown foliage; blooms in fall; spreads and self sows with original boneset speciesl	Nectar; Larval for many Haploa moths, for the Yellow-winged Pareucheutes moth, the Virginia tiger moth, and others.
	Blanket flower	Gaillardia aristata (Aster family)	Summer, long lasting blooms, red and orange flowers	Nectar source a favorite of butterflies and skippers
	Purple headed sneezeweed	Helenium flexuosum (Aster family)	Red, mid-late summer bloom; doesn’t make people sneeze; native to NC and east US	Nectar; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Swamp sunflowers	Helianthus angustifolius (Aster family)	Very tall, yellow flowers in fall; native to NC and East US.	Nectar and seeds; Larval for Silvery checkerspot, Common Pug, Common Looper, several Haploa moths, Virginia Tiger moth, Giant Leopard moth, and others.
	Rocky Mountain blazing star	Liatris ligulistylis (Aster family)	Late summer, purple blooms; native to midwest	Nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. May be larval for everything on Asters list.
	Gayfeather, dense blazing star, White dense blazing star, purple marsh blazing star	Liatris spicata; Liatris spicata alba, Liatris spicata ‘Kobold’ (Aster family)	Tall, slender perennial, purple or white; Native to east US, likes moist soil	Nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds; May be larval for everything on Asters list.
	Prairie blazing star	Liatris pycnostachya (Aster family)	Summer, lavender blooms	Nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. May be larval for everything on Asters list.
	Orange coneflowers	Rudebeckia fulgida (Aster family)	Orange-yellow, summer to fall blooms, native to NC and east US, self sows readily	Nectar; seeds for birds; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Black-eyed susans	Rudebeckia hirta (Aster family)	Yellow, summer blooms, biennial, self sows, summer to fall blooms, native to NC and most of US	Nectar, seeds for birds; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Marigolds	Tagetes spp.	Not Native. Yellow to orange, small flowers, planted between many of the native plants.	The scent of marigolds is said to drive away insect pests as well as deer. The flowers are a larval source for Tobacco Budworms, and they serve as a nectar source.
	Goldenrod ‘solar cascade’	Solidago shortii hybrid (Aster family)	Yellow cascades, summer, knee high; original species is native to midwest and is becoming rare, this hybrid is a new strain	Nectar; Larval for Small Purplish Grey and Bent-line Grey caterpillars, Confused Eusarca moth, Blackberry and Camouflaged loopers, Common Tan Wave, Common Pug, , Dark spotted palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Eastern silvery aster	Symphyotrichum concolor (Aster family)	White-lavender fall flowers, native to NC and eastern US	Nectar; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	New England Asters	Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (Aster family)	Purple fall blossoms, native to NC and east US	Nectar; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Tall ironweed	Vernonia angustifolia (Aster family)	Purple flowers, summer to fall blooms, native to NC and SE Us	Nectar; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, Virginia Tiger Moth and others.
$C:\Users\Karen\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\lobelia cardinalis flower closeup.jpg$	Cardinal flower	Lobelia cardinalis (Bellflower family)	Red flowers in spikes, May-Oct; native to NC and East US, likes very moist or wet soil	Hummingbirds and butterflies with long proboscis such as cloudless sulphurs
	Golden columbine	Aquiegia chrysantha (Buttercup Family)	Yellow, spring and summer blooms, monoecious, native to SW US, naturalized in NC	Early spring nectar; Larval to columbine leaf miners
	Queen Anne’s lace	Dauca carrota (Carrot family)	Native to Europe but naturalized since early settlers arrived; white blooms second year; biennial,	Larval for black swallowtails
	Rattlesnake master	Eryngium yuccifolium (Carrot family)	Interesting, globe-shaped spiky flowers, architectural interest	Nectar; may be larval for black swallowtails
	Golden Alexanders	Zizia Aurea (Carrot family)	Yellow, spring to summer blooms; native to NC and most of US	Larval for Black swallowtails
	Narrow leaf bluestar, Hubricht’s bluestar	Amsonia hubrectii Dogbane family	Fall foliage, small blue spring flowers; Native to Oklahoma and Arkansas;	Larval source for snowberry hummingbird moths, purple-lined sallows, blackberry loopers, striped garden caterpillars, several Cycnia moths, and others
	Eastern bluestar, Blue dogbane	Amsonia tabernaemontana (Dogbane family)	Spring blooms, blue flowers, large multi-stemmed clumps; Yellow fall foliage; native to NC and east US	Larval source for Snowberry Hummingbird moths, Purple-lined Sallows, Blackberry loopers, Striped Garden caterpillars, several Cycnia moths and others
	Mississippi penstemon	Penstemon digitalis (Figwort family)	White flowers, summer blooms; native to NC and east US, self sows	Nectar; hummingbirds love it. Larval for the Purple-lined Sallow and others.
	Culver’s Root	Veronicastrum virginicum (Figwort family)	White, summer blooms, very tall spiked flowers, powerful emetic and laxative if eaten; Native to NC and east US	Nectar.
	Nodding onion	Allium cernuum (Lily family)	Small perennial, native to NC and East US; bulb;	Particularly attractive to hairstreak butterflies; Larval to Convict caterpillar
Image c. Larry Allain@plants.usda.gov	Red milkweed	Asclepias rubra (Milkweed family)	Pink flowers, summer; native to NC and east US	Nectar; larval for Monarchs and Queens, and Milkweed Tussock Moths
	Butterfly weed	Asclepias tuberosa (Milkweed family)	Orange, summer bloom, native to NC and US	Nectar; Larval for Monarch and Queen butterflies, and Milkweed Tussock and Unexpected Cycnia Moths.
	Whorled milkweed	Aslepias verticillata (Milkweed family)	White, summer flowers, native to NC and east US	Nectar; larval for Monarchs and Queens, and Milkweed Tussock Moths.
	Anise hyssop, blue giant hyssop	Agastache foeniculum, ( Mint family)	Summer blooms, native to Midwest, north east US, Canada; likes dry, sunny areas	Nectar ttracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; Larval for Hermit sphinx moth and Virginia tiger moth.
	Licorice Hyssop	Agastache rupestris, Mint family	Summer blooms, full sun, okay in poor soil, drought tolerant; native to SW United States, mint family	Great nectar source; a favorite of hummingbirds, deer resistant; Larval for Hermit sphinx moth and Virginia tiger moth
	Bee balm	Monarda didyma (mint family)	Several colors planted in garden, summer blooms, native to NC and most of US	Nectar; hummingbirds; Larval for Hermit Sphinx moth and Virginia tiger moth and others.
	Blue perennial salvia; Pitcher sage, Big blue sage.	Salvia azurea (Mint family)	Tall, delicate plant with blue fall flowers; native to NC and east US (rare in Piedmont of NC)	Nectar; Larval for camouflaged looper, yellow bear, Hermit sphinx moth
	Autumn Salvia “Cherry Chief”	Salvia greggi (Mint family)	Bicolor magenta:red flowers in late spring into summer; perennial; native to SW US	Nectar; hummingbirds, butterflies and bees; Larval for Camouflaged Looper, Yellow Bear/Virginia Tiger moth, Hermit Sphinx moth and others.
	White wild indigo	Baptisia alba (Pea family)	Native to SE US, incl. NC; likes dry sandy soil like longleaf pine savannahs; spring blooms	Nectar; Larval for the wild indigo duskywing, silver spotted skipper, hoary edge skipper, Henry’s elfin, Black spotted prominent
	Blue False indigo	Baptisia australis (Pea family)	Bushy, can turn into tumbleweed in the fall, blue spring and summer flowers; native to NC and east US	Nectar; larval for the wild indigo duskywing, silver spotted skipper, hoary edge skipper, Henry’s elfin, Black spotted prominent
	White moss phlox, ‘Snowdrift’	Phlox nivalis (Phlox family)	White spring flowers in May, native to NC and SE US.	Nectar.
	White garden phlox	Phlox panniculata ‘David’ (Phlox family)	White flowers in mid-summer, native to NC and east US	Nectar.
	Virginia Spiderwort	Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort family)	Purple flowers, spring to summer; native to NC and most of US. Leaves irritating to skin	Nectar; Larval to Convict Caterpillar
	Trailing purple verbena ‘Homestead’	Verbena Canadensis (Verbena family)	Creeping perennial groundcover, spreads aggressively, dark purple blooms from Feb-Sept, native to NC and most of US	Early nectar in spring; not deer resistant; Larval for Common Looper and others.

Volunteers/Beneficial weeds

Plant	Common Name	Scientific Name	Description	Wildlife Use
	Bearded beggarticks, Tickseed sunflower, “Ditch daisies”	Bidens aristosa (Aster family)	Commonly seen along roadsides in late summer to early fall, native to NC and east US, seeds have prickles and catch on your socks	Nectar is a favorite of butterflies and bees; seeds are eaten by birds; Larval for Northern Cloudywing, Long-tailed Skipper and Hoary Edged Skipper, and Purple Lined Sallow moth, and others.
	Smartweed, Tufted knotweed	Polygonum caespitosum (Buckwheat family)	Flowers in 2-3 inch spikes, light pink, native to NC and most of east US, found in moist waste areas and fields	Nectar; seeds for birds; Larval for Smartweed caterpillar; and Cross-lined Wave caterpillar and others.
	Virginia creeper	Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Grape family)	Vine, summer small green flowers, fall berries; often found in same habitats as poison ivy, it is not harmful in any way.	Berries for birds; larval for Pandora and White-lined Sphinx moths and others.

Vines

Plant	Common Name	Scientific Name	Description	Wildlife Use
	Climbing Aster	Ampelaster carolinianus (Aster family)	Vine, fall blooming, lavender-pink flowers; native to NC and SE US	Nectar; Larval for Saddleback caterpillars, Pearl Crescent butterflies, Confused Euscarca moth, Camouflaged Looper, Common tan wave, Common pug, Dark Spotted Palthis moth, several Cucullia moths, several Flower moths, and others.
	Dutchman’s pipe	Aristolochia tomentosa (Birthwort family)	Vine; Heart shaped leaves, dark maroon, pipe shaped flowers in the spring;	Larval for Pipevine and Palamedes Swallowtails.
	Coral honeysuckle	Lonicera semervirens (Honeysuckle family)	Evergreen vine, early summer bloom, native to NC and east US, large flowers	Nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies; fruits for finches and thrushes; Larval host for Spring Azure and Snowberry Hummingbird moth and others.
	Goldflame Honeysuckle	Hybrid of Lonicera sempervirens and Lonicera Americana; (Honeysuckle family)	Vine; early summer bloom; its parent species are native to eastern US	Nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies; fruits for finches and thrushes; Larval host for Spring Azure and Snowberry Hummingbird moth and others.
	Passionflower, Maypops	Passiflora incarnate, (Passionflower family)	Vine; deciduous, found along ditches in SE US; has tendrils and suckers, grows fast	Nectar; Larval for Gulf Fritillary and Variegated Fritillary; and Trumpet-vine Sphinx moth and others.
	Carolina Jessamine	Gelsemium sempervirens (Pinkroot family)	Vine, evergreen, large, yellow trumpet shaped fall – early spring flowers, toxic to eat foliage or flowers, native to NC and SE US	Nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Girl Scout Butterfly Air Garden

Our Garden

Shrubs

Perennials

Volunteers/Beneficial weeds

Vines