Backyard Butterflies Plant Donation Program (PDP)

Update to the PDP

Starting in 2025 the ability to request specific plants and quantities will be discontinued. Instead we will be implementing a new donation award called an HOA Plant Grant for HOAs or simply a Plant Grant for all other organization types. Each Plant Grant will contain a predetermined selection of keystone species, host, and nectar plants.

What is the Plant Donation Program?

The Plant Donation Program (PDP) is part of our third mission to provide assistance in creating Lepidoptera friendly habitats. We will donate up to 50 Plant Grants (approximately 810 plants) per year to qualifying HOAs, schools, parks, groups, organizations, and nonprofits who apply for a PDP Plant Grant.

• HOAs are eligible to receive one HOA Plant Grant per year containing 9 plants.

• Schools, parks, nonprofits, and other organizations are eligible to receive one Plant Grant per year containing 18 plants.

What plants are donated in a Plant Grant?

We have curated a selection of keystone, host, and nectar plants to donate for each type of Plant Grant. Our intention is to fulfill all Plant Grants as described here; however, all donation awards are subject to availability of plants. 

The plants listed and described below are what will be awarded to qualifying Plant Grant applicants. HOAs will receive one of each species, all other organizations will receive 2 of each species.

Each HOA Plant Grant will have 1 of each species listed below. All other Plant Grants will have 2 each of the species listed below.
Total host plants: 5


Black-eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Sunlight: Full-Part Sun
Moisture: Medium
H: 2ft W: 2ft


Coreopsis, Lance-leaf

Coreopsis lanceolata

Sunlight: Full
Moisture: Medium-Dry
H: 2ft W: 2ft


Cup Plant

Silphium perfoliatum

Sunlight: Full-Part Sun
Moisture: Wet-Medium
H: 6ft W: 4ft


Goldenrod, Sweet

Solidago odora

Sunlight: Full-Part Sun
Moisture: Medium-Dry
H: 3ft W: 2ft


Purple Coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Sunlight: Full-Part Sun
Moisture: Wet-Dry
H: 4ft W: 2ft

Each HOA Plant Grant will have 1 of each species listed below. All other Plant Grants will have 2 each of the species listed below.
Total host plants: 1


Butterfly Weed Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa

Sunlight: Full-Part Sun
Moisture: Medium-Dry
H: 3ft W: 2ft

Species Hosted: Monarch

Each HOA Plant Grant will have 1 of each species listed below. All other Plant Grants will have 2 each of the species listed below.
Total host plants: 3


Hyssop, Anise

Agastache foeniculum

Sunlight: Full-Part Sun
Moisture: Medium-Dry
H: 3ft W: 2ft


Mountain Mint, Virginia

Pycnanthemum virginianum

Sunlight: Full-Part Sun
Moisture: Wet-Medium
H: 3ft W: 1ft


Wood Mint, Downy

Blephilia ciliata

Sunlight: Full-Part Sun
Moisture: Medium-Dry
H: 2.5ft W: 3ft

Eligibility Requirements

Our PDP Plant Grant is intended to help groups and/or organizations seeking to create or maintain a butterfly, moth, or insect friendly garden or habitat. It is not intended for individuals or for personal benefit. In order to qualify the applicant must meet the following criteria:
  • The applicant is applying on behalf of a group or organization.
  • The recipient (organization or group) must be located within North Carolina.
  • All donated plants to the recipient must be planted and grown in North Carolina.
  • The recipient agrees not to use any pesticides or herbicides on any donated plants.
  • The recipient will use the donated plants for any of the following purposes: education, insect support, habitat restoration, public garden, HOA community garden, pollinator garden project, or other purpose(s) pre-approved by Backyard Butterflies.
  • Recipients may re-apply to the program. Recipients are limited to receiving only one Plant Grant donation award per year.
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Application Periods

Spring Donation Awards: Applications accepted January 1 – 31. Donations are distributed in May. Fall Donation Awards: Applications are accepted June 1 – 30. Donations are distributed in October.

Award Process & Notification

We currently fulfill applications on a first-come, first-served basis. If in the event we experience failed or low germination rates we will substitute any unavailable plants with a suitable alternative or omit that plant if no substitution is available.

Applicants will be notified 1-3 weeks by email prior to the next upcoming plant sale fundraiser listed on the main plant sale fundraiser webpage.

All applicants will be required to confirm that they accept their award by a given date. Awards will be forfeit if no confirmation is received by the requested date.

Get a Reminder

Our next application period opens on January 1, 2025. 

Sign-up to receive a reminder to apply for a PDP donation.

PDP Reminder

Contact US

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Text

(919) 241-7865
Our preferred method of contact

Text

Our preferred method of contact

Email

hello@backyardbutterflies.org
When a slower response is ok

Email

When a slower response is ok

Phone

(919) 241-7865
Please leave a voice message

Phone

Please leave a voice message

FINAL DAYS TO SHOP
May 25 - 27
12 - 5 PM

Plants are available for in-person shopping only at our location in Hillsborough.