Plants to Attract

Butterflies

Annuals

Carnation

Cosmos

Dianthus/Pinks

Dahlia

Heliotrope

Lantana

Lobelia

Marigold

Phlox

Salvia

Snapdragon

Sunflower

Verbena

Zinnia

Perennials

Astilbe

Beardtongue (Penstemon)

Bellflower (Campanula)

Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)

Candytuft (Iberis)

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia)

Carnation

Columbine (Aquilegia)

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Delphinium

Phlox (Garden Phlox)

Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa)

Russian Sage (Perovskia)

Salvia

Shasta Daisy

(Chrysanthemum/Leucanthemum)

Speedwell (Veronica)

Stone Crop (Sedum)

Tickseed (Coreopsis)

Wall Flower (Erysimum)

Yarrow (Achillea)

Herbs

Borage

Chives

Dill

Fennel

Onion

Lavender

Lemon Balm

Marjoram

Mint

Oregano

Parsley

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

And most flowering herbs

Shrubs

Butterfly Bush

Caryopteris

Heather

Choose a warm, sunny location.  Butterflies are warm-weather fans.  Take advantage of warm southern exposures to prolong flowers of fall-blooming species.  Plant in masses.  Masses of colorful, fragrant     flowers are more likely to capture the attention of a passing butterfly.  One plant here and there will not be nearly as effective as five flowering plants grouped together.  Choose flowers that are flat-topped or   clustered and have short flower tubes.  Butterflies like landing pads where they can sit comfortably to sip nectar.  Choose flowers in yellow, orange, red and pink range.  These are preferred by butterflies, but they will also visit flowers of other colors.  Plant with different blooming periods in mind.  Butterflies may be on the wing at different times during the Spring, Summer and Fall. 

Provide windbreaks.  The butterflies won’t be buffeted by the wind and won’t have to expend extra energy as they fly about looking for food and mates.  Provide flat stones or rocks.  Butterflies like places to rest and places to bask in the sun.  Provide areas of damp soil.  Male butterflies like to take in salts and nutrients from muddy soils.  Don’t use herbicides or pesticides.  Herbicides may kill the larval foodplants; pesticides may kill both the caterpillars and adults.