These Climbing Plants Will Turn Your Backyard into a Butterfly Haven

Flying flowers is how some define butterflies — and rightfully so. Flashing a rainbow of color, as they hungrily hover around and insert their proboscis into their pollen, butterflies present an awe-inspiring sight, rivaled only by the nectar producers. That they aid in plant pollination while refueling only adds to the beauty of having these breathtaking butterflies flying around your yard & garden. Though if you’re partial to birdwatching, you’ve another reason to attract these charismatic fliers, as their caterpillars make protein-rich bird food.

The Climbers

Irrespective of the reasons underscoring your choice, you can grow many climbing plants to fill your garden with a variety of butterflies. Nectar-rich flowers, such as Carolina jessamine, crossvine, trumpet honeysuckle, violet trumpet vine, and Zéphirine Drouhin rose, are a few examples. Complement them with passionflower, butterfly pea, and Dutchman’s pipe vines that encourage host-specific butterflies to reproduce on their foliage. This will help rescue their declining population — a 2025 study published in Science estimates their numbers have nosedived 22% since 2000 — and have your yard teeming with new pollinators.

Butterfly Tips

However, remember a few pointers before choosing butterfly-friendly plants. Adult butterflies typically gravitate toward red, pink, orange, and yellow blooms. Ensure the chosen plants are sited in the sun because butterflies don’t feed in shade. Mix in plants producing bigger blooms or flower clusters to accommodate larger butterflies, like swallowtails. Target successive planting, so nectar is available throughout spring through fall. With the basics established, let’s discover the climbing plants sure to turn your backyard into a butterfly haven.

Carolina Jessamine

Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a fast-growing climbing plant that’ll turn your yard into a thriving haven for spicebush swallowtail butterflies along with hummingbirds and bees. They nectar at the climbing vine’s canary-yellow flowers that, depending on the location, burst out in December or February and last through May. Sometimes, they also put out another flush in autumn. Plant Carolina jessamine in sunny sites with organically rich soils in zones 6 through 10 for the best blooms. Train them over a trellis or arbor and prune regularly to reduce volunteering. All plant parts are highly toxic if consumed.

 

Trumpet Honeysuckle

Native to the southeastern U.S., trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), also known as coral honeysuckle, is quite attractive to butterflies. Adult ones adore the bright orange flowers blooming between late spring and summer for nectar. Spring azure butterflies lay their eggs on honeysuckle’s leafy undersides. For the best display, ensure the vines are exposed to direct sunlight for at least six hours in zones 4 to 9. Trumpet vines are aggressive and can escape their bounds, though they aren’t considered invasive. Cut back the climbing plant every year to encourage bushier bottom growth. Keep the flammable vines away from your home’s defense zone.

American Wisteria

American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) might not be as theatrical as its Chinese counterpart, but it’s a stickler for rules and stays within its limits, despite the vigorous growth. Better yet, native butterflies, including zarucco duskywing and long-tailed skipper, have adapted themselves to lay eggs on their foliage, while many others relish their nectar. Lilac or blue flowers mostly bloom between April and May, though deadheading may encourage a second flush in the summer. Accidental consumption of seeds can be poisonous, so site them where pets abstain from wandering. Don’t forget these important fall tasks to ensure your native wisteria blooms beautifully in the spring.

 

Violet Trumpet Vine

Want a lush climber that isn’t too thirsty? Opt for violet trumpet vine (Clytostoma callistegioides), an evergreen climber that becomes drought-tolerant after establishment. Butterflies throng to the trumpet-shaped lavender flowers in late spring when they literally obscure the deep green foliage and remain through summer. Given the dense canopies, you may use the vines for screening or shade and leave them be. But if you aren’t iffy about pruning, you can train them as espaliers. They are cold hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and prefer morning sun, particularly in hot regions. Pair them with crossvines for successive color.

 

Virgin’s Bower

Virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) is another climbing plant you should grow on your property to attract butterflies — the Lepidoptera family, in particular. Look to plant specifically male plants, as the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly likes their showier (vis-à-vis female counterparts) while petals that unfurl throughout the fall. As a bonus, they are seedless and will require less maintenance. Also called woodbines, these climbing vines are fast growers and can climb over shrubs and trees, producing a spectacular show, while creating a harborage site for birds. However, be warned as they can be mildly toxic on accidental consumption and cause skin irritation.

 

There are more vines to view at:  ©House Digest