Dahlia
(sold as Mystic Desire)
Family: Compositae
Native to: Mountains Of Mexico To Colombia
Sentiments: dignity, sterility and misrepresentation, treachery and instability
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect
Leaves deciduous
Max height: 2 feet
Max width: 2 feet
Flower
orange
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Plant features: deciduous
Exposure: sun
Landscape uses: container, cut flower
Propagates by: seed
flowers in fall
flowers in summer
Soil type: loam
USDA Zone: zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: +20 to +30 °F
Water: regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
flower
flower
flower
Dahlia, a deciduous perennial, is a member of the Compositae (Aster) family with 46 species. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes; some grow to 4½ feet tall. They are cultivated in Zone 9 and prefer regular watering. These plants can be grown in a container.
Mystic Desire, with blooms in a lush orange color, grows to 2 feet high.
Many colors and forms of Dahlia are available and they appeal to many adult butterflies.
Dahlia will appeal to:
Agraulis vanillae, GULF FRITILLARY
Apodemia mormo, MORMON METALMARK
Callophrys nelsoni, NELSON'S HAIRSTREAK
Danaus plexippus, MONARCH
Junonia coenia, COMMON BUCKEYE
Lerodea eufala, EUFALA SKIPPER
Limenitis archippus, VICEROY
Lycaena phlaeas, AMERICAN COPPER
Neominois ridingsii, RIDINGS' SATYR
Neophasia menapia, PINE WHITE
Phyciodes phaon, PHAON CRESCENT
Plebejus icarioides, BOISDUVAL'S BLUE
Pyrgus communis, COMMON CHECKERED-SKIPPER
Strymon istapa, MALLOW SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK
Vanessa cardui, PAINTED LADY
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.
