Brodiaea elegans
Family: Asparagaceae
Common name: HARVEST BRODIAEA
Native to: California, Oregon
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: erect, tufted
Max height: 1.3 feet
Max width: 1.3 feet
Flower
magenta/purple, violet
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Exposure: part shade, sun
Landscape use: container
Propagates by: seed
flowers in spring
Soil types: average, well drained
USDA Zones: zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f, zone 10 to +30 f
Temp. range: +10 to +40 °F
Water: drought tolerant
Butterflies that feed on this plant
There are 25 species of Brodiaea, a member of the Asparagaceae family.
Brodiaea elegans, an Oregon native, is in cultivation and is drought tolerant. It can be grown from seed in Zones 8 10, flowers in spring, can be cultivated in either part shade or sun, and grows to 1 1/3 feet high and wide. Brodiaea elegans can be grown in containers and will attract adult butterflies.
Adults that feed on Brodiaea include:
Battus philenor, Pipevine Swallowtail
Anthocharis sara, Pacific Orangetip
Anthocharis stella, Stella Orangetip
Euchloe ausonides, Large Marble
Pieris marginalis, Margined White
Pieris rapae, Cabbage White
and
Pontia protodice, Checkered White
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.
