Host plants discussed:
Host plant for Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly and Polydamas Swallowtail Butterfly
do not plant Aristolochia gigantea for a butterfly garden. it can be toxic to larvae.
Host plant for Gulf Fritillary Butterfly
Host plant for White Peacock, Common Buckeye and others.
If possible do not purchase tropical milkweed. Look for native species.
If purchasing tropical milkweed be sure to cut it back in the fall to help prevent the spread of OE. (more notes on tropical milkweed and how to care for it are at the bottom of these show notes)
*coontie (Zamia integrifolia) not discussed during this episode but I wanted to mention anyway. its a host plant for the atala butterfly - looks similar to a fern and its florida's only living cycad!
Resources discussed:
search bar top right of home page >search "bring on the butterflies" click on the first article that comes up which should be titled “bring on the butterflies”. this article will provide a list of larval host plants along with pictures.
I order all of my florida native seeds from them
my go to resource for potted pollinator plants when visiting a local nursery or garden center is not an option.
Tropical Milkweed
The below is from Rainbow Gardens (they are based out of Texas).
Tropical Milkweed MUST be cut all the way back after the fall butterfly migration to deter disruption to the natural migratory pattern of monarchs and to help eliminate the spread of OE spores (a debilitating infection that adult monarchs can contract. We actually advise to cut your tropical milkweed back at least 2 times a year, in June and November. If you can cut back 3 times it’s even better. Add a cut back in late winter/early spring, in early February.). After cutting back your tropical milkweed, let the wounds heal closed (a couple of days, and then you can spray it with a 50/50 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol (91% strength) to further sterilize the plant. Don’t spray during the heat of the day.
Read the full article here: https://www.rainbowgardens.biz/annuals-and-perennials/planting-tips-milkweed-butterflies-host-nectar-pollinators/
