Seven Flowers That Attract Butterflies
Butterflies are some of the most beloved pollinators you will find in any garden. Attracted to tubular-shaped flowers, they fly from blossom to blossom, snacking on nectar and increasing the diversity of native plant species.
Why Butterflies are Beneficial for Your Garden
Beyond the beauty that butterflies impart, their role as pollinators is critical to the overall health of a garden. The presence of butterflies will attract bees, birds and microorganisms that support the environment.
Unfortunately, you see fewer butterflies around because of deforestation and widespread pesticide use. Their well-being is at risk due to changes in climate and weather, which have led to the loss of much of their natural habitat.
Gardening with butterflies in mind means reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides and assisting these insects on their journey through the cycle of life. Particularly during the late growing season, blossoming flowers provide much-needed nectar for butterflies as they migrate south for the winter.
By creating and maintaining butterfly-friendly gardens, gardeners strengthen the ecosystems that butterflies rely on to survive. These seven plants will ensure butterflies feel at home in your yard and continue pollinating into late-season autumn.
1.Russian Sage
The fragrant purple blossoms of Russian sage serve as butterfly magnets for your garden. This type of sage is a perennial, growing 3-5 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. Part of the mint family, it blooms best in full sun exposure in hardiness zones 4-9.
2. Black-Eyed Susan
One of the most popular wildflowers in North America, Black-Eyed Susans have yellow, orange, and russet blooms that are well known to attract butterflies. This flower is a perennial, growing 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide, and blooms best in full sun exposure with moist, well-drained soil. Black-Eyed Susans grow during summer months in hardiness zones 3-7.
3. Cosmos
Butterflies flock to this flower, which comes in a variety of shades, including pink, white, red, and purple. These flowers serve as an excellent resource for butterflies passing through on their migrations.
Cosmos are annuals, growing 1-6 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide, in hardiness zones 2-11. They bloom best in full sun exposure during the summer through the fall, particularly in well-drained soil.
4. Sunflower
Giant stalks of sunflowers are a highlight of the summer months. These flowers last until early autumn, making them a dependable source of nectar.
This flower is an annual, growing 3-10 feet tall and 1.5-3 feet wide in hardiness zones 2-11. The classic sunflower is yellow, yet you can now find varieties in red, brown, and other colors.
Sunflowers are heliotropic, meaning they follow the sun’s movement during the day. Plant these sun-worshipers in areas with well-drained soil and full sun exposure during the summer through the fall.
5. Pansy
Perfect for landscapes in a cooler climate, pansies are a colorful, affordable choice for your garden. This flower can serve as both a perennial and an annual, thriving in an environment with full to partial sun exposure.
Pansies bloom from spring through the summer in hardiness zones 7-11. They come in a color rangethat can include white, yellow, purple, blue – and even black! Whichever hue compliments your garden, be sure to plant pansies in well-drained soil for the best results.
6. Aster
Asters bloom blue, pink, purple, red, or white flowers during the late summer and autumn. These easy to grow perennials provide late-season nectar, which is perfect for butterflies just emerging from their cocoons. Asters thrive in hardiness zones 3-8 and grow from 1-6 feet tall in full or partial sun.
7. Dahlia
Dahlia’s orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow blossoms entice a beautiful array of butterflies. This colorful member of the Asteraceae family flourishes in full sun exposure in moist, moderate climates from summer to late fall.
Dahlias are tender perennials, which means they can be either annuals or perennials, depending on which zone they are located. While they grow in hardiness zones 6-11, be mindful that dahlias planted in zones 7A and 7B (in the Philadelphia area) are annuals.
Improve Your Garden With Help From a Professional Landscaper
If you need help selecting and planting the right flowers to attract butterflies, our expert landscapers with 22+ years of experience can design a garden tailored to your vision.
Our start-to-finish landscaping process includes:
- An on-site consultation
- Soil analysis
- Custom project design
- Design review and analysis
- All-inclusive installation
- Spotless cleanup
Book a consultation today at: https://garrettchurchill.com/get-a-quote
