Begonias are a popular choice for gardeners due to their vibrant colors and ability to thrive in shady areas, making them common features in window boxes and borders. However, for a gardener hoping to attract butterflies, the Begonia genus is generally a poor selection. Modern ornamental varieties, which are the most common types found in garden centers, have been bred primarily for their showy aesthetics. This process has often stripped them of the biological traits that appeal to pollinating insects, offering little reward for the adult butterfly searching for sustenance.
The Key Factors That Attract Butterflies to Flowers
Butterflies rely on a specific combination of visual and physical cues when foraging, seeking high-energy nectar to fuel their flight. They are attracted to brightly colored flowers, particularly shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple. Unlike bees, butterflies can see red, and they use their good vision to locate blooms from a distance.
Once a flower is located, its structure must accommodate the insect’s anatomy and need for a steady perch. Butterflies prefer flowers that are clustered or have a flat surface, which provides a stable landing platform while they sip nectar. The flower must also be an ample nectar producer, as butterflies must secure enough energy for their active lifestyle. Scent plays a role as well, with butterflies drawn to sweet or slightly musty fragrances.
Why Begonias Are Generally Not Butterfly Magnets
Most cultivated begonias fall short of meeting the feeding requirements of adult butterflies due to specific biological and structural reasons. Common hybrid varieties, such as tuberous or wax begonias, have been bred for massive, complex, or “double” blooms. This intensive cultivation has inadvertently reduced or eliminated the production of nectar, the primary food source butterflies seek.
Furthermore, the complex structure of double flowers physically impedes a butterfly’s ability to access the reproductive parts where nectar is produced. Even wild Begonia species present a challenge, as they are monoecious, bearing separate male flowers (offering pollen) and female flowers (often lacking nectar entirely). This inherent unsuitability, compounded by ornamental breeding, means the begonias typically sold in garden centers are generally ignored by butterflies.
Planting Alternatives for Attracting Butterflies
Gardeners looking to support local butterfly populations should focus on plants that offer easily accessible and abundant nectar. Planting strategies must incorporate both nectar sources, which feed the adult butterflies, and host plants, which are required for the caterpillars to grow. A healthy butterfly garden needs both types of plants to encourage butterflies to stay and reproduce.
Nectar Sources
Nectar-rich plants should be grouped together in large masses to make them easier for foraging butterflies to locate. Annuals that feature the flat, clustered flower heads butterflies prefer for landing include:
- Zinnias
- Pentas
- Cosmos
- Lantana
Perennial choices that bloom in bright colors include Echinacea (Coneflower), Aster, and Buddleia (Butterfly Bush).
Host Plants
To complete the life cycle, host plants must be included. Monarch butterflies are highly selective and will only lay eggs on Milkweed (Asclepias). Black Swallowtails require herbs like dill, fennel, or parsley. Incorporating native plants, such as Joe-pye Weed (Eupatorium), will provide a consistent food supply throughout the growing season. By selecting these alternatives, a gardener can create a functional ecosystem that supports adult butterflies and their offspring.