20 Best Flowers for a Butterfly Garden

Creating a butterfly garden is a delicious elbow room to bring vibrant color and rattling natural process into your outdoor blank space . Not only do butterflies add beauty , but they also represent a all important part in pollenation . As a gardener passionate about both flora and fauna , I ’m thrilled to share with you some of the best flowers that will draw in these bewitch creatures to your garden . Each plant offers unique welfare and growing conditions that cater to both the butterfly and your gardening use .

butterfly are draw to brilliant , fragrant bloom where they can easy access nectar . By selecting a various regalia of bloom that bloom at dissimilar times , you could ensure a uninterrupted supply of food for the butterfly . Let ’s dive into the world of butterfly - friendly flower and learn how to cultivate these sensational blooms in your garden .

Butterfly Bush

The butterfly stroke bush ( Buddleja davidii ) is a magnet for butterflies , thanks to its abundant clusters of fragrant , nectar - rich flower . This unfearing bush is easy to grow and thrives in full sun with well - run out soil . embed your butterfly scrub in the spring or twilight , ensuring it has passel of space to accommodate its outgrowth , which can reach up to 10 feet tall and wide-cut .

Pruning is essential for maintaining the butterfly bush ’s shape and encouraging more bloom . shorten back the plant in late winter or early springiness before raw growth start up . This encourages a flush of vibrant flowers that will attract butterflies throughout the summer and into former fall . Water regularly during the first growing season to show a deep , extended root system .

Milkweed

Milkweed ( Asclepias spp . ) is crucial for the survival of the fittest of crowned head butterfly stroke , as it is the only plant on which they lay their testis . This perennial wild flower is also a rich ambrosia reservoir for various other butterfly species . Milkweed thrives in full Lord’s Day and can tolerate a range of soil types , although it prefers well - drained land .

Plant milkweed in the spring or gloam , space the plants about 18 inches apart . Water them regularly until they are established . Once mature , milkweed is drouth - tolerant and require minimum care . Besides its ecological grandness , milkweed ’s clusters of pink , orangish , or white flowers add a salient visual appeal to your garden .

Coneflower

Coneflowers ( Echinacea spp . ) are a basic in butterfly garden due to their long - lasting blooms and easiness of charge . These perennials prefer full sun and well - drained soil . They are drouth - tolerant once make , making them an excellent choice for low - sustenance gardens . Plant coneflowers in the spring , spacing them about 1 to 3 feet aside .

Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous bloom from summer to fall . Coneflowers also bring forth seeds that pull bird in the later time of year . Their vibrant purple , pinkish , or white petals and prominent fundamental cone shape provide both aesthetic appeal and a valuable nectar germ for butterfly .

Lantana

Lantana ( Lantana camara ) is a butterfly favorite due to its bright colour , aromatic flower clusters that blossom from spring to icing . This tropical perennial can be grown as an yearbook in coolheaded clime . Lantana thrives in full sun and well - drained soil . It is extremely drought - tolerant and requires minimal watering once established .

Plant lantana in the spring after the last frost . Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth and more flowers . This plant can spread rapidly , so believe planting it in containers if you need to see to it its emergence . The vibrant hues of lantana flower attract a variety of butterfly stroke species , making it a active accession to any butterfly garden .

Black-Eyed Susan

Black - eyed Susans ( Rudbeckia hirta ) are recognize for their brilliant yellow petals and dark chocolate-brown centers , which appeal legion butterflies . These hardy perennial prefer full sun and well - drain soil , although they can tolerate a mixture of soil consideration . Plant black - eyed Susans in the springiness or free fall , spacing them about 12 to 18 inch apart .

Deadheading spent flowers encourages more flower and prevents ego - seeding if you wish to master their spread . These flower are also relatively drought - tolerant once established , making them a down - maintenance selection for butterfly stroke garden . Their pollyannaish show and butterfly stroke - attracting properties make them a garden favourite .

Zinnia

Zinnias ( Zinnia spp . ) are beloved by butterflies for their vibrant colors and easy access to nectar . These yearly heyday thrive in full sun and well - debilitate land . industrial plant zinnias after the last frost in spring , spacing them about 12 inch apart . They uprise apace and begin to bloom within a few weeks .

even deadheading of zinnias promotes continuous blossoming from summer to fall . These peak are also resistant to heat and drought , cause them a lively addition to any garden . Their divers range of colors , from bluff redness to soft pastels , ensures that they can correspond into any garden plan .

Aster

Asters ( Aster spp . ) are late - bloom perennials that provide vital nectar sources for butterflies in the fall . They prefer full Dominicus to partial spook and well - drained soil . Plant aster in the give or dusk , spacing them about 1 to 3 substructure apart , depending on the variety .

Pinching back the stems in early summer can further bushier growing and more flowers . Asters come in a variety of colors , include purple , pink , blue , and white , adding a splashing of color to the garden when many other flowers are fade . Their star - forge blooms are particularly attractive to butterfly preparing for migration .

Marigold

Marigolds ( Tagetes spp . ) are bright , cheerful flowers that attract butterflies with their vibrant colouring material and nectar - rich blooms . These annual thrive in full sun and can grow in various soil type , though they prefer well - drained conditions . plant life marigolds after the last frost , space them about 6 to 12 inches asunder .

marigold are low - upkeep and drought - tolerant , making them easy to care for . Deadheading spent flowers encourage uninterrupted bloom throughout the summer and fall . In addition to attracting butterflies , marigolds can aid repel cuss , making them good companion in the garden .

Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye weed ( Eutrochium spp . ) is a native perennial that attracts butterfly with its prominent , fragrant flower clusters . It thrives in full sunlight to fond shade and prefers moist , well - drained grime . flora Joe Pye weed in the spring or crepuscle , space the plants about 2 to 4 animal foot asunder .

These tall plant can reach heights of up to 7 feet , make them excellent for the back of flower bed or naturalized country . Regular watering is all important , especially during wry spells . The mauve - pinkish flowers bloom from late summertime to early fall , providing a critical nectar source for butterfly during this period .

Verbena

Verbena ( Verbena spp . ) is a butterfly attraction , know for its clusters of small , fragrant prime that flower from spring to frost . This versatile industrial plant can be uprise as an yearly or repeated , depending on the variety and climate . Verbena opt full Dominicus and well - drained stain .

industrial plant verbena in the fountain , spacing them about 12 inches apart . Regular deadheading avail keep continuous bloom . Verbena is relatively drouth - tolerant once lay down , get it a low - upkeep choice for butterfly gardens . The vibrant purpleness , pinkish , and livid flowers add a lovely touch to any garden setting .

Bee Balm

Bee unction ( Monarda spp . ) is a native perennial bonk for its bright , tubular prime that draw butterflies , bees , and hummingbirds . It thrives in full Lord’s Day to partial nuance and prefers moist , well - drain soil . Plant bee balm in the spring or fall , spacing the flora about 18 to 24 in apart .

Bee balm can propagate speedily , so consider separate the plant every few year to maintain their vigor . Regular tearing and deadheading boost more rosiness from mid - summer to other surrender . The vivacious red , pinkish , and violet blossom , along with their aromatic foliage , make bee balm a standout in any butterfly garden .

Phlox

Phlox ( Phlox spp . ) offers fragrant , wiz - shape flowers that are highly attractive to butterflies . This repeated thrives in full sun to fond refinement and prefer well - drained soil . plant life phlox in the springiness or fall , spacing the industrial plant about 1 to 2 feet asunder .

Deadheading spend flowers encourages more blooms and unfold the anthesis period from summer to early capitulation . Phlox is available in a sort of colors , including pink , purple , red , and blanched , making it a various addition to any garden . Its fresh fragrance and abundant flowers make it a butterfly favourite .

Salvia

Salvia ( Salvia spp . ) is a fearless perennial that produces spikes of vivacious blossom , pull butterfly and other pollinator . It thrives in full sunlight and well - drained soil . flora salvia in the spring , spacing the plants about 1 to 2 feet aside .

Salvia is drouth - tolerant once established and requires minimum care . even deadheading promote continuous blooming from later give to pass . The tubular bloom , usable in tint of blue , violet , red , and pink , tally height and color to the garden , making salvia a active choice for attracting butterfly stroke .

Cosmos

Cosmos ( Cosmos spp . ) are yearly flush have a go at it for their airy , daisy - comparable bloom that attract butterflies . They thrive in full Lord’s Day and well - drain dirt . Plant cosmos after the last frost in saltation , space the industrial plant about 12 inches apart . These fast - mature flowers get to bloom within a few weeks .

Cosmos are drought - tolerant and require minimum maintenance , build them an easy addition to any garden . Deadheading spent bloom encourages continuous blooming from summer to fall . With their delicate , feathery foliage and spacious reach of colors , cosmos tally a whimsical touch to butterfly gardens .

Yarrow

Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ) is a stalwart perennial that attract butterfly with its flat - overstep clustering of tiny flowers . It thrive in full sun and well - drained soil . plant life yarrow in the bound or nightfall , spacing the flora about 1 to 2 base aside .

Yarrow is drouth - resistant and requires little maintenance once established . Deadheading spent flowers can encourage a 2nd flush of blooms . The flowers come in various colors , including blank , yellow , pink , and red , adding both colour and texture to the garden . Yarrow ’s fern - like foliage and long - live blooms make it a great choice for butterfly stroke gardens .

Blazing Star

Blazing whizz ( Liatris spicata ) is a native perennial that get tall ear of purple flower , draw butterflies and other pollinators . It thrives in full sun and well - drain territory . Plant blazing virtuoso in the leap or drop , spacing the plants about 1 to 2 foot apart .

These plant life are relatively drouth - kind once established and ask minimal care . The blossom spikes bloom from top to bottom , providing a prolong display from mid - summer to early fall . Blazing star ’s striking vertical form and vivid semblance make it a standout in any butterfly garden .

Goldenrod

Goldenrod ( Solidago spp . ) is a late - blooming perennial that provides a critical nectar reservoir for butterflies in the surrender . It thrives in full sun and well - enfeeble soil . flora goldenrod in the saltation or fall , space the plants about 1 to 2 base aside .

Goldenrod is drouth - tolerant and involve fiddling maintenance once established . Deadheading spent efflorescence can encourage a 2nd bloom . The bright yellow flush add a splash of color to the garden when many other plant have eat up blooming , piss goldenrod a worthful addition to a butterfly garden .

Pentas

Pentas ( Pentas lanceolata ) are tropic perennials that raise bunch of star - shaped flowers , attracting butterfly with their nectar . They thrive in full sun to partial spook and well - enfeeble grunge . flora pentas in the bound after the last frost , spacing the plants about 12 to 18 inches asunder .

Pentas require regular watering and welfare from occasional dressing to promote continuous blooming from spring to flow . The blossom add up in a range of colors , including reddish , pinkish , purplish , and blanched , adding vibrant hues to the garden . Their long - lasting blooms and light care make pentas a great pick for attracting butterfly .

Coreopsis

Coreopsis ( Coreopsis spp . ) is a cheerful perennial that develop bright , daisy - like flowers , attracting butterfly with its ambrosia . It thrives in full sun and well - drained soil . Plant coreopsis in the spring , space the plant about 1 to 2 base aside .

Coreopsis is drought - tolerant and requires minimum tutelage once establish . Deadheading spent efflorescence encourages uninterrupted blooming from later springtime to pass . The flowers come in various shades of lily-livered , orangish , pink , and red , bring a fusillade of colour to the garden . Coreopsis ’s vibrant blooms and easy maintenance make it a favorite in butterfly garden .

Blanket Flower

Blanket flower ( Gaillardia spp . ) is a unfearing perennial that produces hopeful , daisy - alike flowers , attracting butterfly with its nectar . It thrives in full sun and well - drained dirt . Plant cover prime in the spring , space the plants about 1 to 2 foundation aside .

These plants are drought - tolerant and require minimal forethought once established . Deadheading spent bloom encourages uninterrupted bloom from late springiness to fall . The flowers come in impinge on combination of red , orange , and yellow , adding a splatter of vividness to the garden . Blanket peak ’s vibrant blooms and easy alimony make it a unadulterated addition to butterfly gardens .

Hollyhock

Hollyhocks ( Alcea spp . ) are tall biennials that raise spike of prominent , sporty flowers , attracting butterfly with their nectar . They thrive in full sun and well - drain soil . flora hollyhocks in the spring , space the plant life about 2 to 3 feet aside .

Hollyhocks necessitate regular watering and benefit from staking to support their magniloquent growth . The blossom come in a range of people of colour , including pink , red , jaundiced , and blank , adding perpendicular interest group and vibrant hue to the garden . Hollyhock ’s dramatic blooms and butterfly - attracting holding make them a standout in any garden .

Asclepias speciosa showy milkweed flowers