Barbarea vulgaris
Family: Cruciferae
Native to: Europe
Plant
Types: biennial, perennial
Forms: clumping, erect
Max height: 3.3 feet
Max width: 2 feet
Flower
yellow
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bee, specific butterfly species
Plant features: invasive, weedy
Edible: vegetable
Exposure: part shade, sun
Landscape use: container
Weedy
Invasive
Propagates by: seed
flowers in spring
flowers in summer
Soil type: wide range
USDA Zones: 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: -30 to +30 °F
Water: dry, moderate
Butterflies that feed on this plant
There are 29 species of Barbarea. It is a member of the Brassicaceae family and is commonly called WINTER CRESS.
Barbarea vulgaris is cultivated and easily grown from seed in Zones 4-9. This plant is edible either raw or cooked. It grows to nearly 3 ½ feet tall in dry to moderate watering conditions, and blooms in spring and summer. It can be grown in a container - an 18-24" or larger container is advised as the plant is rather tall. This plant may prove to be a wildlife magnet to your garden, but be careful, as it can be weedy and is on invasive plant lists in some states. The good news is that it is wildly attractive to bees and the seeds are not air-born.
Barbarea appeals to Phyciodes tharos, Pearl Crescent, and Erynnis icelus, Dreamy Duskywing. Both of these butterflies have a broad range.
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.
