| Ever dreamed of the land where palm trees | | | | California when the sunny yellow flowers of |
| sway? Well, if you're a butterfly enthusiast, there | | | | Deerweed (Lotus scoparius) begin to brighten the |
| is much more than surf and sand to keep your | | | | hillsides. Plant this tenacious bloomer and before |
| imagination busy where Southern California is | | | | long you can expect to have the company of |
| concerned and as for the butterfly gardener, | | | | such host seekers as the Bramble Hairstreak, the |
| Southern California is a dream come true. Tiny | | | | Silvery Blue, and the Funereal Duskywing. |
| Blues mimicking the sky visit coastal sage scrub | | | | Female Monarchs and Queens are drawn to the |
| and chaparral as a Cloudless Sulphur flutters by | | | | plush white-rose colored star clusters |
| like a bit of harnessed sunshine. Gulf Fritillaries | | | | characteristic of one of Southern California's |
| romance a passion vine while California Sisters | | | | natives, Indian Milkweed (Asclepias eriocarpa). As |
| dance among the shaded oaks. A weary monarch | | | | a result of this attraction, its broad velvety leaves |
| hangs with his fellow travelers, warmed and | | | | are often adorned in the black, yellow, and white |
| sheltered by the surrounding eucalyptus groves. | | | | stripes of hungry resident caterpillars. |
| With elevations ranging from below sea level in | | | | Looking to entice some other ladies into your |
| the low deserts to 11,500 feet at the mountain | | | | garden, use Bush Mallow (Malacothamnus |
| peaks, Southern California is a beautiful and | | | | fasciculatus) and Bush Lupine (Lupinus longiflorus). |
| diverse place. Year round it plays host to a | | | | Both flaunt attractive flowers and are host plants |
| colorful array of butterfly species. The myriad of | | | | for several butterflies, including the West Coast |
| habitats offered attracts both resident and | | | | Lady and Melissa Blue, respectively. |
| migrant butterflies who, depending on their needs, | | | | Common Rue (Ruta graveolensis) also a good |
| enjoy the coastal plains, deserts, mountains and | | | | addition to any Southern California butterfly |
| even backyard gardens that traverse the land. As | | | | garden. Female Giant Swallowtails will gladly use it |
| in most places, when butterfly gardening in | | | | as a host plant, which makes local citrus growers |
| Southern California, specific plants should be | | | | happy too. |
| chosen in order to attract the butterflies that | | | | Sticky Monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus ), host |
| frequent ones local native plant communities. | | | | for the Buckeye, Bush Sunflower (Encelia |
| There are a variety of nice drought tolerant | | | | californica), host for the Checkerspot, and Desert |
| species indigenous to Southern California. | | | | Senna (Senna Armata), host for the Cloudless |
| Many of these lovely plants act as both a host | | | | Sulphur, are three more fine flora worthy of |
| and nectar source for visiting butterflies. They are | | | | mention. To catch the eye of all interested |
| favorites of the Southern California butterfly | | | | passer-byers, include these flowering favorites in |
| gardener and nectar/host seeker alike. California | | | | your garden. |
| Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) is one such | | | | If ample room is available, consider the Arroyo |
| species. Its dainty flower heads seem to last | | | | Willow (Salix lasiolepis), host for the Lorquin's |
| forever, changing from a soft pink hue in spring | | | | Admiral, the Mourning Cloak, and the Western |
| to a crimson brown in fall. While in bloom it is | | | | Tiger Swallowtail. |
| magnet for nectar lovers of all types. The many | | | | The Coast Live Oak (Quercas agrifolia), which |
| native butterflies, including a variety of Coppers | | | | hosts the California Sister and the Mournful |
| and Blues, who use this popular plant as their host, | | | | Duskywing, is also a noble addition to any garden |
| most definitely learn to share and share alike! | | | | setting. These striking native trees not only serve |
| Evergreen, fragrant, and colorful, California Lilac | | | | as host plants for several local butterflies, but also |
| (Ceanothus) is also adored by the local frequent | | | | provide them and others with a sanctuary from |
| flyers. In early spring this hardy shrub displays | | | | elements, whether they be a summers blistering |
| sweet blooms of blue attracting many. Among | | | | heat or a storms windy chill. |
| them are the Pale Swallowtail, the Spring Azure, | | | | California dreaming on such a winter's day...The |
| and the Brown Elfin, all of whom call this plant | | | | wonderful diversity of both the butterfly |
| their host. | | | | population and native plant species hosted by the |
| A member of the Sunflower Family, Pearly | | | | Southern California terrain is indeed a dream come |
| Everlasting (Gnaphalium californicum), blankets the | | | | true for the local butterfly gardener. |
| rolling hills, blooming from January until July. It is | | | | So, next time your mind starts wandering, picture |
| the preferred host plant of the American Painted | | | | yourself lying on the beach somewhere in |
| Lady. Within its wooly hairs and tiny white "pearly" | | | | Southern California. The soft sun-warmed sand is |
| heads her offspring cozily make their home. | | | | beneath you, comforting rays reach down from |
| Use it's host, False Indigo Bush (Amorpha | | | | above easing your mind as the soothing rhythm |
| fruticosa), to lure California's official state | | | | of the surf lulls you to sleep. |
| butterfly, the California Dogface, into your garden. | | | | Now you are dreaming! California "Butterfly" |
| The male of this species is quite distinctive with | | | | Dreamin' to be precise. Don't be surprised if when |
| his poodle-faced forewings, but good luck trying | | | | you open your eyes to the sky above, it is filled |
| to catch a glimpse of his unique markings as he | | | | with not just California's sunny skies, but scores |
| rarely lands with his wings open. | | | | of its beautiful butterflies fluttering about. |
| One knows springtime has arrived in Southern | | | | |