Northern New Jersey/ New York City Regional Garden Guide
Butterfly gardeners in southern New York State and northern New Jersey can often expect to see butterflies in flight as early as mid-March and as late as the end of October. 
From USDA climate zones 5b in the north to 7b along the New Jersey coast, native plants in this region provide a wide selection of butterfly nectar sources and caterpillar food plants.
For the 139 species of butterflies found in New Jersey and the approximately 120 species found within a 50 mile radius of Manhattan, planting a butterfly garden in this region is one way to help restore some of the habitat that has been lost to development and provide resources for wild butterflies to thrive and grow.
The following plants have been selected and rated by NABA members as important native plants for butterfly gardening in the region.
NABA Selected Shrubs, Vines, and Trees for northern New Jersey and the New York City area
NABA Selected Annuals and Perennials for northern New Jersey and the New York City area
Plant three nectar plants and three caterpillar food plants that are native to your region. Your garden will then qualify to join the growing number of NABA Certified Butterfly Gardens, helping to promote and increase butterfly habitat across the countryA new NABA web site feature that will highlight photo submissions from NABA members in and near New Jersey of plants that are attracting butterflies to their gardens right now. Updated often, click here to view and consider sending your butterfly garden photos.
NABA greatly appreciates the volunteer contributions of the local experts who generously gave their advice on this garden guide. They have included, Deedee Burnside, Pat Sutton, and Sharon Wander, among others.