Are you looking for ways to attract butterflies to your garden? With so many different types of plants, selecting the best ones can be daunting. Butterflies add stunning beauty and color to a garden or landscape. Moreover, they play an important role in pollination and are a great way to attract other beneficial wildlife.
Choosing the right plants is essential for attracting more butterfly species to any outdoor space. Many plant varieties can help nourish butterflies throughout their entire life cycle, from flowering annuals to hardy perennials and evergreens. Plants like ornamental grasses, phlox, angelica, and mint are the most favorite of butterflies. They like to fly and sit on it to enjoy their neuter. Drive to learn more about the best plants for butterflies.
Table of Contents
Here are the Best Plants for Butterflies
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are a great way to add texture and color to your garden while providing a host plant for butterflies. Many butterfly species, such as the Black Dash, Broad-winged Skipper, Dion Skipper, Dun Skipper, Northern Broken Dash, Tawny-edged Skipper, and Wood Nymph, will feed on ornamental grasses. When planting ornamental grasses in your garden, remember not to spray them with insecticides if you see signs of feeding.
Butterflies can be attracted to a variety of ornamental grasses. Some popular varieties include Muhlenbergia, Schizachyrium, Panicum, and Carex. These varieties are an attractive addition to any garden while providing food for these beautiful creatures.
Ornamental grasses are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for those looking to attract butterflies into their gardens.
Phlox
Phlox is a beautiful, versatile flower that attracts butterflies to your garden. With a wide variety of colors, you can easily create a stunning butterfly garden with these flowers. If you live in the southern United States, make sure you pick varieties that are mildew resistant, as this region is more prone to humidity and moisture.
Regarding attracting butterflies, phlox is an excellent choice for nectar. Species such as Atalopedes campestris (Sachem), Epargyreus clarus (Silver-Spotted Skipper), Chlosyne nycteis (Silvery Checkerspot), Papilio troilus (Spicebush Swallowtail), Papilio Appalachians (Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail) and Lon zabulon (Zabulon Skipper) will all be attracted to the sweet nectar of phlox flowers.
Planting different varieties of phlox in your garden will provide a great food source for these species and help keep them around for longer periods.
Mint
Mint is a popular plant for butterfly gardens, attracting many species of butterflies. It belongs to the plant family Agastache, Lavender, Rosemary, Calamintha, and Pycnanthemum. These plants are known for their fragrant foliage and colorful flowers.
Mint provides nectar for butterflies such as the Cabbage White (Pieris rapae), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Peck’s Skipper (Polites peckius), Sachem (Atalopedes campestris), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Spring Azure (Celastrina ladon) and Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta).
Mint is an easy-to-grow plant that can be used in various ways in a butterfly garden. It can be planted in containers or directly into the ground. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade.
Mint grows quickly and can become invasive if not kept in check. To prevent this, it’s best to prune it back regularly or use a barrier around the planting area. Planting mint near other flowering plants will also help attract more butterflies.
Butterfly Bush
The butterfly bush is a beautiful and unique flowering shrub that will bring life to any garden. It blooms all summer, vibrant colors attracting butterflies from summer through fall. It looks great and grows quickly after planting, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a fast-growing plant that will add height to their garden in no time.
Butterfly bushes are not only attractive to the eye, but they are also wonderful for attracting butterflies. The butterfly bush blooms last a while, too, so you can enjoy the beauty of these graceful plants in your garden for weeks. Whether you’re looking to attract more wildlife or want something beautiful in your yard, the butterfly bush is an excellent choice.
Butterfly Weed
Butterfly weed is a beautiful addition to any summer garden. Its dainty orange flowers are striking and add color to early summer borders. The combination of butterfly weed with Nepeta ‘walkers low’ is especially attractive, creating a vibrant display that will surely draw the eye.
Not only does butterfly weed look great in the garden, but it also provides an important habitat for butterflies. Monarch butterflies, in particular, lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves, making it an essential part of their life cycle.
Butterfly weed is also known for attracting other beneficial insects, such as bees and hummingbirds, so it can be a great way to help support local wildlife populations.
Milkweed
Milkweed is an essential plant for any butterfly garden. It is the only host plant for Monarch butterflies, meaning it’s the only plant on which Monarchs will lay their eggs and caterpillars will feed. Milkweed also provides nectar for other butterfly species and can attract various beneficial insects to your garden.
Milkweed is easy to grow and can be started directly from seed or purchased as a plant. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil but can tolerate some shade. Milkweed should be planted in clusters to provide the best habitat for butterflies, and it will self-seed if allowed to go to seed.
Asters
Asters are an excellent addition to any butterfly garden. They come in various colors, from bright blues and purples to soft pinks and whites, and they’re very easy to grow. Asters prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade, and they bloom in late summer and early fall when other nectar sources are scarce. Asters also attract beneficial insects such as bees and other pollinators.
Asters can be started from seed or purchased as plants, and they’re a great way to add color and life to your garden. Plant them in clusters to create a colorful display attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Lavender
Lavender is a beautiful, fragrant plant that attracts butterflies to your garden. It blooms in the summer with long spikes of purple or white flowers, and its aroma will surely draw in all sorts of pollinators. Lavender is also an excellent nectar source for bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects.
Lavender prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and it can be started from seed or purchased as a plant. Once established, lavender is drought tolerant and requires little maintenance. Plant it in clusters to attract more butterflies and enjoy its lovely summer scent.
Verbena
Verbena is a great addition to any butterfly garden. It blooms from spring to late summer in shades of pink, purple, and white, and its nectar-rich flowers are attractive to butterflies and other beneficial insects. Verbena prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade, and it’s very easy to grow.
Verbena can be started from seed or purchased as a plant, and it will self-seed if allowed to go to seed. Plant it in clusters to create a colorful display attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Passionflower
Passionflower is a beautiful and fragrant plant that will attract various butterflies to your garden. It blooms from late spring to early summer in shades of purple, pink, and white, and its flowers are rich in nectar. Passionflower prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade, and it’s easy to grow from seed or purchased as a plant.
Black Eyed Susans
Black Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are a popular wildflower and garden favorite that attract butterflies in droves. The bright yellow and orange daisy-like flowers are a cheerful addition to any garden and bloom from summer through fall.
Black Eyed Susans are easy to grow and can thrive in various soil types as long as they have full sun. They can be started from seed or purchased as a plant, and they’re very drought-tolerant once established. Plant them in clusters to create a beautiful display attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Joe Pye Weed
Joe Pye Weed is a tall, flowering plant native to North American wetlands. It’s a great choice for butterfly gardens, providing an attractive late-summer nectar source for many butterflies. The plant grows in clumps that reach six feet tall and produces clusters of pinkish-purple flowers throughout the summer.
Joe Pye Weed is easy to grow and can be started from seed or purchased as a plant. Plant it in clusters to create a beautiful display attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What is the best time to plant my butterfly garden?
The best time to plant a butterfly garden depends on where you live and your planting type. Generally, it is best to plant your butterfly garden in the late spring or fall when temperatures are warmer, and there is plenty of sunlight for your plants to thrive. It may be best to wait until mid-May or mid-June in northern climates before planting. In southern climates, you may be able to start planting in late April or early May.
2. How do I attract butterflies to my garden?
Planting various nectar-rich flowers that bloom throughout the summer is the best way to attract butterflies to your garden. Choose plants with bright colors and fragrances, such as lavender, verbena, passionflower, black-eyed susans, and Joe pye weed. Plant them in clusters to create a beautiful display attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects.
3. Which plants attract the most butterflies?
When it comes to attracting butterflies to your garden, certain plants are more attractive than others. These butterfly-friendly plants provide essential nectar and shelter for the insects while also providing a vibrant splash of color to your landscape.
4. What do you put in a butterfly garden?
Butterflies feed on tubular flowers, especially those with “landing strips.” Yarrow, stonecrop, coneflower, verbena, phlox, butterfly bush, butterfly weed (Asclepias), bee balm, cardinal flower (Lobelia), coreopsis, black-eyed Susan, Joe Pye weed, pants, and various asters and sedums can keep your garden.
5. What vegetable plants attract butterflies?
Besides the bluebonnet, other native plants that attract butterflies include lantana, paintbrush, and yucca. Summer is also a great time to plant a veggie and herb garden in your yard, which will attract butterflies. You can attract butterflies by planting celery, peppermint, turnips, radishes, okra, fennel, and corn.
Conclusion
Butterfly gardens are an easy and beautiful way to attract these delicate creatures to your yard by planting various nectar-rich flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Plant those abovementioned plants in your garden and make your garden butterflies playground.
