Butterflies flock to these flowers. Plant them to create a vibrant garden sanctuary (Page 2 ) | May 15, 2025

2. Coneflower: A Long-Blooming Favorite for Swallowtails
Also known as echinacea, coneflowers are sturdy perennials that bloom for months and provide a reliable nectar source. Their large, daisy-like blooms are particularly attractive to swallowtail butterflies and provide a landing pad for tired wings. Bonus: they’re drought-tolerant and low maintenance.
3. Butterfly Bush: A Nectar-Rich Beacon for All Varieties
True to its name, the butterfly bush (Buddleia) produces long, fragrant flower spikes rich in nectar. It’s a magnet for many butterfly species, offering blooms from mid-summer into fall. Choose sterile or native cultivars to avoid unwanted spreading in the garden.
4. Lantana: A Vibrant, Heat-Loving Bloom That Draws Crowds
Lantanas burst with multi-colored blooms that thrive in heat and sun. They attract butterflies all summer long with their steady nectar supply. Though often grown as annuals in cooler climates, in warmer zones they can become perennial shrubs.
5. Zinnia: Easy-to-Grow Annuals That Keep Butterflies Returning
Zinnias are a favorite in butterfly gardens for a reason—they’re quick to grow, come in every color imaginable, and bloom prolifically. Their flat, open blooms make nectar easy to access for butterflies of all sizes. Plant in clusters to make your garden a pollinator hotspot.
6. Verbena: Low-Growing Color Carpets That Buzz with Activity
Low-growing varieties like Verbena rigida or trailing verbena provide ground-level color and nectar. Taller varieties like Verbena bonariensis sway above the garden and are irresistible to butterflies in motion. These flowers are perfect for edging or layering your butterfly-friendly beds.
7. Joe-Pye Weed: A Tall, Wildflower Favorite for Eastern Butterflies
Towering and lush, Joe-Pye Weed is a late-summer bloomer that butterflies love, especially eastern tiger swallowtails. Native to moist meadows, it’s great for naturalistic or rain gardens. Its clusters of mauve-pink flowers are both fragrant and highly attractive to pollinators.
8. Black-Eyed Susan: Bold, Golden Petals That Signal Abundance
8. Black-Eyed Susan: Bold, Golden Petals That Signal Abundance
These cheerful yellow blooms with dark centers are a pollinator favorite. Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) are hardy perennials that bring mid-to-late summer color and attract butterflies and bees alike. They reseed easily, making them a lasting feature in any garden.
9. Phlox: A Fragrant Staple for Evening Butterfly Visitors
Garden phlox and wild phlox alike are loved for their sweet scent and bright flower clusters. They’re particularly effective at attracting butterflies in the late afternoon and early evening. Plant them in sunny spots where their fragrance can carry on warm breezes.
10. Asters: Late-Season Lifesavers for Migrating Butterflies
Asters bloom just as many summer flowers begin to fade, offering critical nectar to migrating species like monarchs. With hues ranging from purple to pink to white, asters provide both beauty and ecological function well into fall. Native varieties are especially beneficial.

11. Marigolds: A Dual-Purpose Bloom That Attracts and Protects
While better known for their pest-repelling properties, marigolds also offer nectar to smaller butterflies like skippers. Their bold orange and yellow flowers provide a visual punch and help keep harmful insects away from more sensitive plants, making them a smart addition to any butterfly sanctuary.

Next: Toothaches are the worst. Try one of these 6 home remedies before calling the dentist

READ IT!

Share Share Share

Thanks for your SHARES!