Butterfly Caterpillar Host Plants

Lavender trumpets with white throats may be produced throughout the growing season, or nearly year round in mild winter climates, in spike-like clusters and nicely complement the creamy white to soft buttery yellow and green variegated, rounded foliage. The Ganges Primrose is a naturally evergreen (in frost-free climates), groundcover-like, mounding and spreading, shrub-like perennial. Use as a non-aggressive groundcover in the garden or filler in containers. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Caterpillar host: White Peacock and Malachite. Item# 11049

The large pink, white, and rose colored flowers are set against a foil of starkly contrasting near black, maple-like foliage of this hardy Hibiscus. Starry Starry Night Hibiscus has some of the darkest foliage of any of the new cultivars of perennial Hibiscus and the light colored flowers definitely stand out dramatically! This Walter's Gardens introduction was selected not only for its amazing foliage and flowers but also for the fact that it flowers from the top to the bottom of the naturally rounded plants unlike some of the older cultivars. Provide a moist, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny position. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 11419

Beautiful yellow tubular blooms are born from spring to fall. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies make this a lovely vine for fence, arbor or trellis. Caterpillar host: Chalcedon Checkerspot. It is evergreen and vigorous, but easy to control. Item # 1075.

Rare and Unusual! The large 7-10" wide dark magenta flowers are held against contrasting variegated deep green foliage that is edged in a narrow band of white and pink and even the buds are intrestingly striped in green and white. Summer Carnival Hardy Hibiscus is a rare variegated form of Perennial Hibiscus flowering from summer into early fall with a compact branching habit. This is sure to be a fun plant in the garden and landscape! Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12068

Huge, intense deep pink flowers with a deep burgundy eye are held against the deep green, maple-like foliage in summer on a full rounded plant that flowers from top to bottom. Summer In Paradise Hibiscus is a hardy perennial Hibiscus that is sure to make a statement in the summer garden. These Hibiscus also make great additions to bog gardens and moist areas. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in a moist rich garden soil. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 11418

The summerlong display of large, 7" wide, ruffled and textured, white flowers are lightly edged in rose pink set against a backdrop of rich green foliage all on a heavy flowering well-branched plant. SUMMERIFIC® Ballet Slippers Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, but compact well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Ballet Slippers is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12842

Huge 8" wide purplish-pink flowers are held against a backdrop of deep dark green foliage throughout summer. Summerific® Berry Awesome Perennial Hibiscus is a compact well-branched large clump forming perennial with a naturally rounded habit. The SUMMERIFIC® Hibiscus are indeterminate types meaning that they flower all up and down the stems instead of just on the upper half of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Summerific® Berry Awesome Perennial Hibiscus was a 2019 Proven Winners Perennial of the Year. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12057

The large bright bubblegum pink 8" wide, wind resistant flowers sport a contrasting dark burgundy eye and are held against a foil of dark green foliage providing a summerlong parade of flowers. SUMMERIFIC® Candy Crush Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a densely branching, perennial that develops into a full, well-branched upright to rounded plant. Walter's Gardens describes it as follows: "If you love 'Cranberry Crush', try 'Candy Crush'! This hardy Hibiscus shares all the great traits that made 'Cranberry Crush' popular: upright, columnar habit, fantastic garden presence, and excellent flower coverage".  Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Candy Crush is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12493

The 8-9" wide white flowers are blushed with cherry pink and are accented by contrasting dark cherry red and pink veining originating from the contrasting dark burgundy eye and running to the edges of the full overlapping petals. The large light colored flowers standout like spotlights against a wonderfully contrasting foil of purple to purplish-green foliage. SUMMERIFIC® Cherry Choco Latte Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a densely branching, clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, but compact well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Cherry Choco Latte is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating a traffic stopping display in the garden and landscape. Use caution when planting near roadways as vehicles may come to a sudden and unexpected stop. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12495

The large rich scarlet red 8" wide, slightly cupped flowers are held against a foil of dark green foliage with purple overtones providing a summer into fall parade of flowers. SUMMERIFIC® Cranberry Crush Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a densely branching, perennial that develops into a full, but compact well-branched plant with exceptional flower power.  Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Cranberry Crush is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating a traffic stopping display in the garden and landscape. Warning, hummingibirds may leave your neighbors gardens and use caution when planting near roadways as vehicles may come to an unexpected stop. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12494

The exceptionally dark, near black foliage acts as the perfect foil to compliment the summerlong display of bright bubblegum pink, 7-8" wide flowers that are accented by dark pink to red veining all on a neatly compact rounded plant. SUMMERIFIC® Edge of Night Perennial Hibiscus tops out at just 36-40" high and is considered one of the most compact Hibiscus on the market today as well as boasting some of the darkest, practically black, foliage to date. The SUMMERIFIC® Hibiscus are indeterminate types meaning that they flower all up and down the stems instead of just on the upper half of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13101

The summerlong display of 8" wide intense deep magenta pink, crinkly flowers are centered by a deep burgundy eye and are held against a foil of near black foliage. SUMMERIFIC® Evening Rose Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a densely branching, clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, but compact well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Evening Rose is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating a traffic stopping display in the garden and landscape. The dark foliage and hot pink flowers are sure to make a statement in the garden and landscape. From Walter's Gardens: "we are proud to introduce 'Evening Rose' as an excellent combination of hot pink flowers and near black foliage. 8" puckered flowers cover the round, dense habit top to bottom. Compared to 'Berry Awesome', the foliage is much darker and the flower color is more magenta than lavender. A must have statement piece for your garden!" Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12496

Creamy yellow buds open to 8" wide french vanilla colored ruffled flowers with a dark red-burgundy eye that absolutely shine against the backdrop of deep dark green foliage throughout summer. SUMMERIFIC® French Vanilla Perennial Hibiscus is a compact well-branched large clump forming perennial with a naturally rounded habit. The Summerific® Hibiscus are indeterminate types meaning that they flower all up and down the stems instead of just on the upper half of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12058

2022 Missouri Botanic Garden Plants of Merit selection! The pinnacle of Hardy Hibiscus breeding in traffic stopping form! The summerlong display of huge 8-9" wide, textured, dark red flowers are set against a foil of deep dark maroonish-purple near black foliage all on a heavy flowering well-branched plant. SUMMERIFIC® Holy Grail Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, but compact well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Holy Grail is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils.Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12498

The newest color in the SUMMERIFIC® series! The summerlong display of large, 7-8" wide, ruffled and textured, lilac colored flowers with good substance are set against a backdrop of rich green, maple-like foliage all on a heavy flowering well-branched plant. Flowers may be deepest purple under cooler conditions. SUMMERIFIC® Lilac Crush Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, rounded, slightly more upright growing, well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Lilac Crush is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12844

The large 7-8" wide white to light pink flowers are centered by a deep red eye that radiates outward along the veins of the petals and the light colored petals darken slightly at the outer edges and are a standout against the darkly contrasting deep maroon foliage. SUMMERIFIC® Perfect Storm Perennial Hibiscus flowers throughout summer and is an indeterminate type meaning that they flower all up and down the stems instead of just on the upper half of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. It matures to about 3' high and spreads out to 4-5' wide at maturity. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Catepillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12192

The large 8" wide, ruffled and textured, white flowers are heavily overlaid with sweetly contrasting deep rosy pink and a large dark burgundy eye simply that simply shine against the foil of deep green foliage. SUMMERIFIC® Spinderella Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, rounded, compact growing, well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Spinderella is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12845

It's sure to be love at first sight! The large 8" wide, ruffled and textured, traffic-stopping bright red flowers with a purplish eye are set against a backdrop of deep green, dark bronze-tinged foliage. SUMMERIFIC® Valentine's Crush Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, rounded, initially upright growing, well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Valentine's Crush is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12848

6-8" deep pinkish-red saucer-shaped blooms are borne continuously from late spring until the first frost on this vigorous perennial Hibiscus. Terri's Pink Perennial Hibiscus, a.k.a. the Single Red Confederate Rose, is an excellent addition to any garden and is a favorite in ours! This is a sterile hybrid which does not produce seed pods and so can spend all of it's energy on flowering! The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees all on a plant that rarely exceeds 8' high. For the best results provide full sun in an average moist, moderately fertile to rich soil. Provide a protective winter mulch in zones 7A-8B. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 604

Texas Gold Columbine produces bright sunny yellow flowers over an extended period from mid to late spring. The spurred flowers are visited by a variety of pollinators including butterflies, bees, and moths. The fine, fern-like soft textured blue green foliage provides a nice contrast with surrounding plants. Columbine are not always long lived perennials but readily reseed on bare soils. Provide this beautiful perennial to biennial with a moist, semi-shaded location for the best results. Texas Gold Columbine, a hybrid seed strain of Aquilegia chrysantha var. hinkleyana x A. canadensis, was selected and introduced by Greg Grant and Jerry Parsons and is a Texas Superstar® plant selection. Item# 11388

The Roselle that we grow is definitely Hibiscus sabdariffa var. sabdariffa of the race ruber that is known for its large, thick, deep clear wine red, crispy, sweet, cranberry flavored calyxes.A vigorous annual to tender perennial, Roselle Hibiscus prefers a warm, mostly sunny position in a well-draining, humus rich, moderately fertile, sandy-loam and free from competition. All parts of the plant are edible including the roots. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 10717