Butterfly Weed

This is the time for one of my favorite plants. The Butterfly Weed. Properly named, this plant is a huge Butterfly attractor. Not only does the flowers have great amounts of nectar, but the plant itself is a place for the caterpillars of many Butterflies to feed and cacoon. Adult butterflies crave nectar from flowers -- the more, the better. Some flowers contain more nectar, and it is these that will be most effective in attracting butterflies. Flower color can also be important, with more vibrant colors attracting butterflies more readily -- especially when single colors are grouped in masses. Butterflies are near-sighted and are more easily attracted to large stands of a particular color. In addition, some plants are easier than others for butterflies to land on.
Butterfly Weed is part of the Milkweed family and thus is used by the caterpillars of many different Butterflies. (the Monarch, the SwallowTail) So if it is Butterflies you wish to observe, this is the plant to sit by. Also examine the plant itself for the caterpillars and eventual cacoons.