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A busy garden full of activity—earthworms in the soil, flying critters visiting the flowers that attract bees—is a healthy garden. Just like with bees, if you want to attract butterflies, there are certain flowers that are guaranteed to have them fluttering about your beds. This list of pretty annuals and perennial flowers that support and attract butterflies is a perfect place to start.
So why a butterfly garden? Of course, we love to spy on the interesting and exotic-looking creatures, and some people even aspire to raise butterflies at home. A successful butterfly garden will provide food and shelter for the insect through its entire life cycle. Milkweed and aster, for example, provide a safe shelter for eggs to grow into caterpillars. A butterfly garden should also supply food for the caterpillars to grow and transform into pupa (aka chrysalis). Goldenrod and snap dragons produce nectar for adult butterflies to eat. These plants are good choices, but when planning your own garden, opt for varieties that are native to your area as they will best support local caterpillars and butterflies.
If you want to focus on attracting Monarch butterflies, try planting milkweed, zinnias, and the Miss Molly butterfly bush. Fall flowers like goldenrod and sedum bring butterflies well after summer ends. Once established, your butterfly garden will keep those winged beauties in sight all season long.
Butterfly Bush
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It's called a butterfly bush for a reason. This lush shrub boasts pretty flowers that attracts butterflies and other pollinators. It's a fast grower and delightfully low-maintenance.
Marigolds
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Colorful marigolds are known for keeping certain pests away from your garden, but they're also known for attracting both butterflies and bees. Deadhead dry flowers to keep the blooms and butterflies coming!
Salvia
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Both butterflies and hummingbirds adore the nectar produced by salvia plants (also called sage).
Sunflowers
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Because of their huge flowers, bright colors, and adundance of nectar, butterflies just love cheerful sunflowers. It's a bonus that the large amount of foliage is an excellent source of caterpillar food.
Buttonbush
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Native to eastern and southern North America, the white flowers of this plant are an ideal for butterflies to rest atop.
Cornflower
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Not only do butterflies like this brightly colored, low-maintenance flowering plant, it also self-seeds, which means it will reappear in your garden year after year.
Clove Pink
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Despite its name, these butterfly-friendly flowering beauties come in a variety of colors—not just pink. The "pink" in the name refers to the notched edges of the flowers, which are similar to the cuts made with pinking shears.
False Indigo
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This member of the pea family is available with either white, yellow, or blue flowers and will bloom for about six weeks in early spring and summer.
Goldenrod
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A member of the aster family, this yellow beauty brings all the butterflies to your yard, and it is known to have many health benefits, including pain and inflammation reduction.
Floss
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Also know as Ageratum, floss boasts a bluish-purple pom-pom shaped flower. Preferring warm climates, it will only grow as a perennial in zones 10 and 11.
Privet
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This fast-growing hedge scrub boasts ivory white flowers in the spring and early summer. Even though it's considered by some to be a weed, butterflies flock to the sweet-smelling blooms.
Hollyhock
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These mid-summer bloomers are known to support the caterpillar life cycle of the painted-lady butterfly. Available in an array of colors, this plant can grow to between 6 to 8 feet tall, so be sure you plant it in the back row of your flower bed.
Lavender
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With silvery leaves and pretty purple flowers, this butterfly magnet looks great along garden borders. Added bonus: The fragrant flowers can be dried and used in aromatic sachets or cooked into shortbread cookies.
Daylily
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Though not technically a lily, the daylily does attract butterflies with the nectar of its large tubular-shaped flowers. Commonly available in warm colors (orange, red, and yellow), it spreads quickly, so it will need to be divided after a few years to maintain maximum flowering.
Pye Weed
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Also named Joe-Pye weed after a Native American herbalist, this tall growing, late-season bloomer is known for its flowers and medicinal benefits.
Yarrow
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Plant this carefree plant in a sunny spot in well draining soil. It is drought-tolerent, so be sure not to overwater.
Stonecrop Sedum
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Stonecrop is a succulent that grows best in arid climates when planted in well-draining soil. Choose a spot for it in full sun for best results.
Bee Balm
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The fragrant foliage of bee balm (also know as wild bergamot) will
attract many pollinators to your garden. Plant in a sunny spot for
spring and summer blooms.
Globe Thistle
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Related to sunflowers, the large purple or white orbs of the globe thistle attracts butterflies when they bloom during the summer months. These drought-tolerant plants are ideal for areas that get little rain.
Mallow
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Not only will it attract butterflies, mallow is also grown worldwide for use as a food, drink, and fiber. Typically a tropical plant, there are many varieties that are at home in more temperate climates.
Ninebark
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This flowering shrub can grow between 6 to 10 feet tall. Prune in the early spring before leafing for maximum flowers.
Pansy
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Pansies love cool weather, so plant them in the early spring and fall. They are great as a pot or border plant, and with proper care, can flower almost all year long.
Phlox
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There are many varieties of phlox, which range from low-growing ground cover to tall breeds that can add height to the backs of your flower beds. The flowers also come in a multitude of colors and are highly fragrant.
Sea Holly
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Similar in appearance to thistle, these flowers are surrounded by what looks like a pointed collar. Plant in a sunny spot in well-draining, sandy soil and look for blooms to appear in the late summer and fall.
Shasta Daisy
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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 as it grows.
Snapdragon
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A real standout in the early spring and fall, these cool weather-loving plants bring loads of color to any flower garden. Deadhead to extend the blooming cycle, and make sure to keep the soil moist during the hot summer months.
Trumpet Vine
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Also know as a trumpet creeper, this fast growing vine boasts multiple tubular shaped flowers that butterflies love. Regular pruning is necessary as the vine can grow up to 40 feet in one season.
Sweet Rocket
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The sweet fragrance of the sweet rocket flower is most noticeable in the evening hours. Depending on location, sweet rocket will bloom from April to July, and it attracts numerous pollinators including butterflies.
Tickseed
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Blooming from early summer into fall, tickseed benefits from deadheading. Butterflies love the nectar, and the plants can tolerate most soils. This plant is a must for any butterfly garden.
Charlyne Mattox is Food and Crafts Director for Country Living.