Attracting Butterflies

Attracting butterflies to your garden begins with choosing the right plants.  Adding a few complimentary touches will increase your chances of drawing butterflies.

Plant Selection

Annuals

Ageratum houston.   Ageratum

Antirrhinum spp.   Snapdragon

Cosmos spp.       Cosmos

Dianthus spp.      Pinks

Gazania spp.    Gazania

Heliotropium spp.   Heliotrope

Impatiens spp.   Impatiens

Lantana spp.    Lantana

Nasturtium spp.     Nasturtium

Pentas spp.      Pentas

Petunia spp.    Petunia

Tagetes spp.      Marigold

Verbena spp.      Verbena

Zinnia spp.    Zinnia

Perennials

Achillea spp.      Yarrow

Asclepias spp.     Milkweed

Aster spp.        Aster

Centaurea spp.       Bachelor’s Button

Coreopsis spp.    Tickseed

Echinacea purpurea     Purple Coneflower

Echinops spp.     Globe Thistle

Eupatorium spp.   Joe Pye Weed

Gaillardia spp.   Blanket Flower

Heliopsis spp.    False Sunflower

Iberis sempervirens       Candytuft

Lavandula spp.      Lavender

Leucanthemum x sup.      Shasta Daisy

Liatris spicata       Gayfeather

Lychnis chald.      Maltese Cross

Monarda didyma    Bee Balm

Nepeta spp.     Catmint

Phlox paniculata    Garden Phlox

Rudbeckia spp.   Black-Eyed Susan

Salvia spp.    Sage

Scabiosa spp.  Pincushion Flower

Sedum spp.     Stonecrop

Solidago spp.      Goldenrod

Veronica spp.      Speedwell

Trees and Shrubs

Abelia x grandifolia      Glossy Abelia

Buddleia davidii         Butterfly Bush

Caryopteris          Blue Mist Shrub

Clethra alnifolia          Summersweet

Lonicera spp.          Honeysuckle

Malus spp.  Crabapple

Pyracantha spp.    Firethorn

Pyrus calleryana       Ornamental Pear

Syringa spp.           Lilac

Weigela florida       Weigela

Wisteria spp.       Wisteria

Incorporating sources of water and salt into your garden will encourage butterflies to remain longer.  Rocks and debris for protection are also very important.

Sources