15 Flowers to Grow for a Big Butterfly Garden Paradise

It ’s such a thrill when vibrant wing flutter through your garden , turning a simple plot of ground into a live kaleidoscope ! Planning a butterfly - friendly haven is n’t just about tossing in pretty blossoms — it ’s about choosing the right bloom that offer nectar , shelter , and even egg - laying land site . I remember the first metre monarchs ornament my Sonchus oleraceus dapple ; I most danced across the cubic yard in exhilaration !

In this guide , we ’ll explore fifteen leading heyday — each with its own backstory and butterfly - attracting major power . From aboriginal perennials that support caterpillars to tropical beauties that beckon migrating mintage , you ’ll learn where each industrial plant herald from , whether it can behave invasively , and how it interacts with our fluttering friends . allow ’s dive in and turn your garden into a butterfly paradise !

Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

Native to Eastern North America , Joe - Pye Weed is a tall , stately perennial that offers clusters of mauve - pink blossom from midsummer into fall . It ’s not consider invasive , though it can self - source in moist , fertile soils . I planted mine along the back molding , and its height create a sensational backdrop that also leave shelter from wind .

butterfly stroke such as swallowtails and fritillaries adore its nectar - rich efflorescence , often congregate by the dozen on a undivided stalk . While Joe - Pye Weed is n’t a host for Caterpillar , its towering flower heads serve up as excellent rod for mating and roosting at dusk — an important doings I ’ve observed on cool evenings as they settle for the dark !

Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Originally from Mexico , Zinnias are annuals prize for their kaleidoscope of colors and ease of cultivation . They ’re non - invasive and prosper in cheery , well - drain spot . One of my favorite summer blooms , they keep hum with body process as long as you deadhead spend efflorescence .

Painted peeress , monarchs , and sulfur lot to zinnia heads , sip deep from the flat , daisy - corresponding head . Their open structure makes it easy for butterflies to alight and provender , and because zinnias bloom prolifically , you ’ll see butterfly return day after day — a delightful behaviour to witness as they flit between blossoms !

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

acclaim from the Eastern and Central U.S. , Common Milkweed is the classic monarch boniface plant . Though not generally invasive , it can pass around via rootstalk in rich dirt — so give it room ! The ball - shaped umbels of pale pink flowers aromatise the air in early summertime .

sovereign butterflies deposit eggs on milkweed leave , where issue caterpillars feed alone on them — a critical behaviour for their life cycle . I still marvel at encounter lilliputian , striped larvae crunch away ! Plus , the nectar draws a wide compass of butterfly and bees , making milkweed a multitasking marvel in any butterfly garden .

Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)

Native to Europe and Western Asia , this clumping repeated salvia form hill of violet - blue flush spikes . It ’s non - encroaching and unmistakably drouth - tolerant once established — stark for gay borders . I do it how its aromatic foliage releases a pleasant scent when brushed .

Hummingbird moths and many butterfly stroke coinage , including ruddy admirals , sip from the tubular blooms . Their hovering feed in behavior is a joy to watch over , and the long - live on flower mean you ’ll have wing visitor all season long !

Butterfly Bush (Buddleja davidii)

to begin with from China and Japan , butterfly stroke bush make its name candidly — fold of butterflies ca n’t resist its fragrant panicles . However , in some region it ’s considered encroaching , so search for uninventive or non - trespassing cultivar . Its arching canes bring height and drama to any perennial mete .

On sunny afternoons , swallowtails and admirals settle onto the dull blooms , often feeding side by side in peaceable gathering . Their aggregated feeding behavior is striking , and I ’ve even spotted them resting overnight among the dense leaf !

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

A North American native , Black - Eyed Susan is a hardy annual or short - lived perennial that produce bright yellow daisy - like flowers with dark centers . It ’s non - invading and self - sow in favorable smear , add cheerful continuity from summer into tumble .

Painted dame and fritillaries flit between blooms , landing flat on the flower petal to draw nectar from the fundamental record . They often exhibit territorial behavior here — perching on one flower and chase off competitors — making for live butterfly theater in your garden !

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)

Native to tropical Asia , Butterfly Pea is a chase vine with spectacular cobalt - blue flowers . It ’s non - invasive in temperate zona but can mount smartly in lovesome climates . I trained mine along a treillage , and the deep - blue bloom really pop against unripe foliage .

Butterflies love the broad landing launchpad of each bloom , peculiarly swallowtails and sea captain , and you may even get them laying ball if you arise nearby innkeeper plants . Plus , this industrial plant add an exotic flair that elevates any butterfly garden Eden !

Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

This North American aboriginal perennial fills late - time of year gaps with plumes of golden yellow flowers . While good to pollinator , goldenrod can spread via rhizome and germ prolifically , so contain it in a dedicated area . I ’ve found dissever glob every few year keeps it in check .

Goldenrod ’s nectar attracts an dumfounding array of butterflies — milkweed butterflies , monarchs , and more — often gathering in eating swarms . Watching them clustering and provender in unison is like hosting a butterfly spread every fall !

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Hailing from the Mediterranean , Sweet Alyssum is a low - growing annual that forge mound of tiny , honey - scented blooms in bloodless , pinkish , or purple . It ’s not invading and makes a endearing ground cover or adjoin plant . I get it on planting it under taller perennial for a delicate carpet of color .

Its small flowers attract to small butterfly like blues and hairstreaks , who exhibit “ paw ” conduct — opening florets with their forelegs to access ambrosia . The unvarying bloom cycle encourages repeat visits and makes an enchanting blue - level flutter show !

Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)

aboriginal to South America , tall vervain produces airy clusters of imperial flowers held aloft on wiry stems . It can self - seed in mild climates , so watch out for military volunteer if that ’s a business organization . I adore its ability to rock in the breeze , creating apparent movement that butterflies discover irresistible .

morning coat and captain use verbena as both a eating post and a group meeting spot — often repay to the same flower cluster throughout the daytime . Their replicate feeding flights over the same umbel are a signature behavior of a butterfly stroke - friendly haven !

Lantana (Lantana camara)

Originally from tropical America , lantana forms thick clusters of multicolored efflorescence . In warm region it can become invasive , so choose sterile cultivars or grow in containers where it ca n’t elude . Its uncouth leave and textured blooms add a vivid tropical feel .

butterfly admit monarchs , buckeyes , and sulphurs dive into each flower head , probing for ambrosia while balance on the cluster . I ’ve spotted them “ perching ” mid - air as they eat — an acrobatic behavior that never bomb to perplex !

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Native to the cardinal and southeastern U.S. , coneflower is a darling perennial with turgid , daisy - like blooms and prominent burry center . It ’s non - invasive and pull beneficial insects like bee and predatory flies . One of my go - to perennial , it brings both beauty and robustness to butterfly gardens .

Butterflies such as fritillaries and swallowtails land on the stiff petals and strip nectar from the cone . After blooming , goldfinch and other boo feed on the seeded player heads — another wildlife welfare that makes Echinacea a multitasking superstar !

Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)

Ironweed , native to North America , produce tall stalks of vivacious regal - magenta blossom in late summertime . It fan out via rhizome but is generally well - deport in a cultivated border . I apply it to draw late - time of year pollinator when other blooms are pass .

Swallowtails , admiral , and monarch butterfly gather heavily on ironweed , often feeding in airless clusters . Their gathering behavior on these flowers feels like attend a butterfly pulley political party — crowded , colorful , and absolutely delicious !

Phlox (Phlox paniculata)

Eastern North American Phlox offers sweet scented clusters of pinkish , whitened , or lavender blooms from midsummer onwards . It is n’t encroaching and maturate in both cheery and partially shaded spots . One of my first plantings as a newbie nurseryman , I care for its heady fragrance tramp through the evening air .

Butterflies kingdom lightly atop the 2-dimensional bloom head , sometimes exhibit “ puddling ” behavior — seeking wet and minerals from dew or break soil nearby . This dual function of nectar feeding and mineral gathering make phlox an invaluable add-on to any butterfly garden !

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Also called Orange Milkweed , this industrial plant is native to the Eastern U.S. and mutant fiery orange - yellow umbel . Unlike common milkweed , it ’s less strong-growing , staying turn back in clumps . It flourish in well - drain , sunny spots , draw admiration for its blazing people of color .

Monarchs position egg on its leave , and the caterpillars feed voraciously — an iconic behavior that thrills every gardener . Adult butterfly stroke slide in for nectar too , make butterfly weed a double - duty joy that supports every point of the monarch butterfly lifecycle !

butterfly on a butterfly bush