Create a Beautiful Butterfly Garden

Butterflies and flower gardens are a natural combination. Pretty, colorful butterflies, light of wing, flutter above floral gardens and sometimes land upon a bloom, making a pretty picture indeed.

Butterflies gravitate naturally to certain flowers. Certain flowers will attract more butterflies than others. Gardeners who plant beds with delightful flowers that attract butterflies can relax and watch a beautiful show designed by nature.

Fragrant clusters of flowers provide a place for butterflies to perch. Include some native flowers, to attract butterfly species that that inhabit the region. If there is a local butterfly group in your area, they are a good source to ask for advice abut what flowers to plant in your butterfly garden.

Flowers that attract a wide variety of butterflies in many regions include the following:

Aster. Asters are hardy perennials that really show off in the fall. In fact, asters are often associated with fall. There are a variety of types and colors. It is best to purchase Asters in small pots, so they have a good start and a better chance of success in the garden. Most Asters do best in full sun, with well drained soil. The New York and New England species can tolerate some shade.

Astilbe: Astilbe are perennials with soft plumes of blooms that rise up above a clump of leaves. The feathers spikes add color to the garden from late spring to summer. Flowers come in white, shades of pink, ruby red, crimson and rosy purple. A location with morning sun and afternoon shad is the ideal location for Astilbe.

Basket of Gold

Bee Balm: Manarda is native to North America. Feathery Bee Balm blooms come in shades of pink and red. the perennial plant needs full fun.

Blanket Flower

Butterfly Weed: Hardy perennial is part of the milkweed family. It is also called pleurisy root. The plant , with orange flowers was used for it's medicinal purposes by Native American Indians. Monarch butterflies, in particular, are attracted to this plant.

Candytuft: Hardy perennials or annuals. Flowers are cross shaped with four petals in their blooms.

Coreopsis: Part of the Aster family, Coreopsis is a perennial plant. /The daisy like petals add color all summer. They need full sun nd well drained soil.

Cosmos: Cosmos is an annual that is part of the Aster family. The daisy like flowers rise above airy fine foliage. Cosmos needs full sun and like to be protected from strong wind. Colors are soft shades of white, pink, maroon, crimson and bi color with yellow centers.

Cottage Pinks

Gayfeathers: Gay feathers are hardy perennials with that are part of the Aster family. Feathery flowers OEM in pink, purple or white.

Heliotrope: Old fashioned garden plant. It's a tender perennial grown as an annual.

Hollyhock: Old fashioned plants with bell shaped blooms on tall stalks .

Joe-Pye Weeds

Lavender: Perennial valued for it's high fragrance. Purple flowers rise above fine green leaves.

Marigold: Marigolds are annuals that grow well in a variety of soils. They can be purchases in a pot, but can be successfully grown from seed. Marigold range in size from small flowers good for borders, to tall flowers that make good bedding plants. The plants add color to the garden all summer. Marigolds come in various shads of yellow and orange.

Meadow Rues: Hardy perennials in the buttercup family.

Narrow Leaved Zinnia

Orange Coneflower's'

Phlox: Hardy perennial or annual with large heads of sweet blooms.

Purple Coneflower: Also known as Echincea Purpurea. Native to North America is well known for it's medical properties. Purple daisy like flowers, with drooping petals surround a center of orange or golden brown. Coneflower's are perennial plants.

Sea Pink Common Thrift

Shasta Daisy. Hardy perennial plant is part of the Aster family.

Sweet Asyllum

Yarrow: Yarrow has a history of being valued as a medicinal plant. Comes in shades of gold, yellow and mustard.

Plant a pleasing combnation of butterfly attracting plants for a delightful garden.

Resources:
Burpee The Complete Flower Gardener, The Comprehensive Guide to Growing Flowers Organically, by Karan Davis and Barbara W. Ellis.