I really enjoy wandering through other butterfly gardens to get ideas to further enhance my garden at home. So, another trip to The Butterfly Estates in Downtown Fort Myers was enjoyed. I have to say my gardens are mimicking the same nectar plants and a good amount of the host plants that The Butterfly Estates has, which is great because it supports the butterflies of Southwest Florida.

This time the great southern white butterfly grabbed my attention, as this beauty is becoming more of a regular in the garden.

With the help of a friend, I have identified that its host plant, lepidium latifolium, broad leafed Virginia pepperweed, is growing in my yard! This plant has tiny white flowers at the top. It can reach 6 to 20″ inches tall and likes full sun, dry, well-drained sandy to rich soils.

It is part of the mustard family, which is the primary variety that the great southern white uses to lay its eggs. The butterfly was laying its egg on the cleome plant at The Butterfly Estates. So, I am happy to say that I have two big pots full of the pepperweed in one spot in the butterfly garden, hoping to soon see the amazing life cycle of this beauty. And, I also have seeds to grow another variety of mustard, which I am super excited about.

Here are photographs captured during our visit of the great southern white laying eggs, drinking nectar from porterweed and resting.