Even with our warmer than average temperatures this spring, I’ve seen the usual spring butterflies flitting around the garden, including: cabbage whites, red admirals, spring azures and mourning cloaks.

What are they feeding on this time of year and what can you plant to draw them in? The mourning cloaks actually do not feed on flower nectar like the other butterflies I mentioned. They tend to feed on sugary tree sap. I know some of you are already saying, "Why would I want to have cabbage white butterflies in my garden?"

Yes, I know they’ll eat some of your leafy vegetables, but seriously, are they really horrible pests? NO! And if you think they are, just spray the caterpillars with a little soapy water and that’ll take care of them. So, plant creeping phlox, Himalayan primrose (Primula denticulata) and Siberian bugloss (Brunnera sp.) and you’ll attract these lovely spring butterflies to your yard.

Primula denticulata

Posted by Cynthia Druckenbrod