Butterflies in Mind -- Zinnia
Susan C. Dunlap
A collection of 50 images as if seen from a butterfly’s point of view. Includes the names of native Zinnia species and the most complete list of US butterflies that will feed on Zinnia blossoms.
Butterflies in Mind -- Asclepias
Susan C. Dunlap
“Milkweed is the single most important plant for Monarch butterflies. This lavishly illustrated book contains details about the structure and cultivation of native Milkweeds, information about the 139 nectar-feeding butterflies they...
Butterflies in Mind -- Monarch
Susan C. Dunlap
This abundantly illustrated volume enables you to select from a complete list of well described perennial nectar plants that are known to attract & feed Monarch butterflies. Over 40 genera are described that are suitable to be grown...
Butterflies in Mind -- Perennials
Susan C. Dunlap
Butterflies in Mind - Perennials. This book is a definitive guide to perennial nectar plants preferred by US butterflies. It empowers you to feed, attract, support (and help identify) nectar-feeding butterflies that reside in the US....

Aster novi-belgii
(sold as Tiny Tot)

Family: Compositae

Common name: MICHAELMAS DAISY

Native to: North America, Widely Naturalized In Europe

Sentiments: elegance and daintiness, patience

Plant

Type: perennial

Form: clumping

Leaves deciduous

Max height: 0.50 feet

Max width: 1.3 feet

Flower

magenta/purple, secondary color present, violet

Leaf

green

Horticulture

Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bee, bird, specific butterfly species

Plant part consumed by birds: seeds

Plant features: deciduous, naturalizes

Exposure: part shade, sun

Landscape uses: container, cut flower, deer resistant

Propagates by: cutting, division, seed

flowers in fall

flowers in spring

flowers in summer

Soil type: loam

USDA Zones: zone 2 -50 f, zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f

Temp. range: -50 to +30 °F

Water: regular

Butterflies that feed on this plant

Aster, a member of the Compositae family, is a genus containing 458 species.

Aster novi-belgii grows in Zones 2-9. 'Tiny Tot' stays a diminutive 1/2 foot tall; Aster novi-belgii 'Winston Churchill" grows to 4 feet tall. A broad assortment of Asters will grow in Zones 4-9.

Aster alpinus, amellus, and x frikartii are cultivated perennials, most of which grow to 1-1½ feet high; Aster x frikartii grows to 2½ feet tall. Aster alpinus grows in Zones 3-9.

They prefer regular watering and attract a very long list of butterflies to feed. Bees will come to this plant as well.

Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial

This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.

Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.

Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.

By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.