That’s only the first step, because these adult butterflies will have other needs too. They will need protection from wind, water, and a then...there also needs to be a food source for the caterpillars. Sometimes the nectar producing plants will also provide food for caterpillars, but not always.

For their water needs, provide a shallow bird bath, saucer or even puddles. Butterflies like sunny, warm spots which are protected from high winds, so locate your garden in a sunny area which has a tree line or structure which protects it from the prevailing winds.Avoid using any pesticides or other chemicals in the area. This may kill the butterflies or the caterpillars.

Here’s a list of plants to use when planning on attracting butterflies:

TREES AND SHRUBS:
•All fruit trees
•Maple, Alders, Redbud, Pagoda Dogwood, Gray Dogwood, Hawthorne, Willow, Tree Lilac, Elms
•All fruiting shrubs
•Serviceberry Butterfly Bush, Clethra, Mock orange, Potentilla, Pussy Willow, Spirea, Lilac, Weigela 

PERENNIALS:
Yarrow,Columbine, Butterfly Weed, Swamp Milkweed, Rock Cress, Thrift, Asters, Coreopsis, Coneflower, Globe Thistle, Joe Pye Weed, Gaillardia, Heliopsis, Iberis, Lavender, Shasta Daisies, Gayfeather, Lilies, Lupine, Bee Balm, Catmint, Peony, Garden Phlox, Obedient Plant,Salvia, Sedum, Golden Rod, Black Eyed Susan, and Ornamental Grasses

ANNUALS, WILDFLOWERS AND HERBS:
Ageratum, Marigold, Cleome, Cosmos, Sweet William, Dianthus, Heliotrope, Impatiens, Lantana, Lobelia, Sweet Alyssum, Nicotiana, Zinnia, Dandelions, Clover, Milkweed, Queen Anne’s Lace, Thistle, Vetch, Bergamot, Boneset, Chives, Dill, Borage, Fennel, Mint, Oregano, Parsley