The garden is a busy place with earthworms and flying insects visiting flowers. Bees are sure to come for the sweet nectar, but if you want butterflies there’s another list of plants guaranteed-to get their attention too! This handy guide provides information on how best to attract these lovely creatures.
Butterflies are fascinating creatures with a variety of different looks. Some people even aspire to raise butterflies at home! But why the butterfly garden? It’s not just about watching them fly around or seeing what they look like; as part of an eco system, it provides food and shelter for all stages in their life cycle including eggs on milkweed leaves that develop into caterpillars before becoming adults.
A butterfly garden should also supply food for the caterpillars to grow and transform into pupa (aka chrysalis). Goldenrod, snap dragons produce nectar which attracts adult butterflies from far away while these plants are native species that will best support local pollinators!
The best way to attract Monarch butterflies is by planting milkweed, zinnias and the Miss Molly butterfly bush. Fall flowers like goldenrod or sedum will keep them around all season long!
1. Butterfly Bush
The pretty flowers of the butterfly bush attract pollinators and make this a joy to grow. It has fast growth rates, but its low maintenance makes it easy!
2. Marigolds
Marigolds are often used in gardens as a pest prevention, but they also attract butterflies and bees. To keep these beneficial insects coming back for more, deadhead your marigold flowers to provide some color!
3. Salvia
Salvia plants are a favorite of both butterflies and hummingbirds. Not only does their nectar taste good, it’s also full of vital nutrients that our feathered friends need to keep flying around!
4. Sunflowers
The butterflies love bright sunflower plants because of the huge flowers and color. They also enjoy nectar from these happy, cheerful plants that has a great source in caterpillar food as well!
5. Buttonbush
The white flowers of this plant are an ideal spot for butterflies to rest.
6. Cornflower
This brightly colored, low-maintenance flowering plant is a favorite of butterflies. Not only does it have the added bonus of self-seeding and returning year after year but its flowers also make your garden more colorful!
7. Clove Pink
Despite the name, these butterfly-friendly flowers come in a variety of colors. The “pink” refers to their notched edges which are similar to pinking shears cuts and make them different from other types of blooms on your garden path!
8. False Indigo
This cheerful flower is a member of the pea family and will grow white, yellow or blue flowers. The plant blooms for about six weeks in early spring through summertime!
9. Goldenrod
A member of the aster family, this yellow beauty brings all sorts of butterflies to your yard and it is know for its health benefits. One such benefit includes pain reduction due to inflammation or arthritis in some cases!
10. Floss
Floss has a bluish-purple pom-pom shaped flower. Preferring warm climates, it will only grow as an annual in zones 10 and 11!
11. Privet
You might not think that this scrub is worth your time, but the butterflies sure do. And they have a good sense of smell!
12. Hollyhock
The painted-lady butterfly is a symbol of beauty and youth. The mid summer bloomers, which grow to 6 – 8 feet tall can be the perfect addition for your garden! These plants provide shelter from rain while also supporting caterpillar life cycles.
13. Lavender
This butterfly magnet is a great addition to any garden, and it doubles as decoration. Not only does this popular flower provide beautiful colors for your landscape; its fragrant petals can be dried into sachets or used in cooking!
14. Daylily
Though not technically a lily, the daylily does attract butterflies with its nectar-heavy flowers. A common type of flower found in warm colors (orange red yellow) and available for division after just one or two years to help maximize growth rates!
15. Pye Weed
Also named Joe-Pye weed after a Native American herbalist, this tall growing flower was well known for its medicinal benefits.
16. Yarrow
This is a plant that needs plenty of sun and well draining soil. It can handle some drought, but make sure you don’t over water it!
17. Stonecrop Sedum
Stonecrop is a hardy succulent that can be planted in full sun or part shade, and it will thrive better with well-draining soil. If you live somewhere dry and hot like I do, then Stonecrop might be the perfect addition for your home garden!
18. Bee Balm
You’ll be able to enjoy the lovely fragrance of bee balm in your spring and summer gardens. It will attract pollinators, giving you a more fruitful harvest than ever before!
19. Globe Thistle
Attracting butterflies when they bloom during the summer months, globe thistle flowers are ideal for areas that get little rain. With large purple or white orbs on a tall stem these drought-tolerant plants will provide stunning color in your garden this year!
20. Mallow
Not only will it attract butterflies, but mallow is a tropical plant that can be grown in more temperate climates. There are many varieties to choose from and they all have one thing in common: the ability to provide food for humans as well!
21. Ninebark
This flowering shrub can grow between 6 to 10 feet tall. Pruning in the early spring before leafing for maximum flowers will help you get a year’s worth of beauty with just one visit!
22. Pansy
Pansies are a great plant for any garden. They can be grown in pots or as an ornamental border, and their flowers will typically last all year long without needing to be cut back!
23. Phlox
There are many varieties of phlox, which range from low-growing ground cover to tall breeds that can add height and fragrance in your flower bed. There is a variety for everyone!
24. Sea Holly
This flower has an appearance similar to thistle and features what looks like a collar of pointed petals. The plant thrives in well-draining soil with plenty sun, but avoid shady spots since it prefers full heat for its blooms to appear.
25. Shasta Daisy
This cheerful flower will bloom all summer long and even into early fall. Plant in full sun 1 to 2 feet apart as it tends to spread quickly, though this plant prefers well-draining soil that is rich with organic matter like compost or manure which can make your yard more fertile!
26. Snapdragon
If you’re looking to bring some color into your garden, these cool weather-loving plants will do the trick. They come in a variety of colors and have long blooming cycles that are perfect for spring or fall gardens, when it’s not too hot outside but still need something colorful! When deadheading them make sure to keep the soil moist during summer months, so they can continue their beautiful display all year round.
27. Trumpet Vine
The trumpet creeper is a fast-growing vine that can grow up to 40 feet in one season. Frequent pruning and regular maintenance help this plant stay bushy, making it perfect for landscaping around your home or business!
28. Sweet Rocket
It’s hard to miss the sweet fragrance of Rocket Flower as you walk through your garden. The flowers are small, white and have a pronounced purple center that stands out against their velvety petals. They typically bloom from April until July, with many people noticing this lovely plant attracting butterflies in particular, while others enjoy an evening bouquet due to its strong appeal during these times!
29. Tickseed
This plant thrives in the shade, and can tolerate most soils. Butterflies love its nectar as well! It is a must-have for any butterfly garden, and brings great benefits on your pollinators.