Lilacs and don't laugh, you know those dandelions in your lawn?

Lol then I will leave those be for the moment :-)

Is violets another early bloomer that butterflies like?

Yes, some of the smaller ones will nectar on it, and Fritillaries use it as a host plant.

Thank you :-)

Wild blueberries/Vaccinum eliotti are the type we have here, and they bloom in January. I've seen butterflies using them, also my cultivated blueberries bloom early, and I've seen both butterflies and hummingbirds using them.

Sherry

Virginia Bluebells will attract both as well.

The best early butterfly magnet I've ever seen in Ohio is hoary puccoon. Butterflies were all over them. OTOH, I've had zero luck trying to grow them.

KC

I just googled hoary puccoon and found that, despite many years of research, no one has found a reliable method of propagating these plants. They have a very deep tap root, so can't be transplanted, and only rarely produce viable seed. So, I'd keep looking.

Martha

I notice in my region that a lot of early butterflies, such as Mourning Cloaks , Commas and Red Admirals, go more for running sap, puddles etc more so than flowers. A muddy area in the garden or an overripe banana or mango go a long way...
Also don't forget those ELFs, whose host plants come up and out first, such as Pussytoes, False or Stinging Nettle (latter less attractive to varmints) and Everlasting.
Also, some parsley and/or fennel for that first wave of Black Swallowtails.

Martha,
I did not know that info about hoary puccoon. I twice bought pieces of their roots from somebody. He said all I had to do was bury them and I would be in business. Did not work out either time.

KC

Hi KC;
We collected Hoary Puccoon seed last year and am waiting to see how well it does. Our research showed that it is a parasitic plant and needs to be grown from seed with grasses. I will let you know how it goes.
Elisabeth

Chives and alliums are good ones too. Another vote for dandelions, cinqufoils, creeping charlie! :)