The butterfly bush is not native to North America; it is a species that evolved in Asia where it was first cultivated as an ornamental. Because of this, not a single native caterpillar in North America can feed on butterfly bush. Without host plants to feed their caterpillars, butterflies can’t complete their lifecycle and their populations suffer. Planting Dill, Fennel, Butterfly weed, and others for the larval stage is best.
