Creating a butterfly sanctuary in your garden is a wonderful way to attract and support these beautiful, essential pollinators. Butterflies need a combination of nectar-rich flowers for food, as well as plants that serve as larval hosts for caterpillars. When selecting flowers for a butterfly sanctuary, it’s important to choose a variety of plants that bloom at different times of the year, providing nectar for the butterflies throughout their lifecycle. Here are some of the best flowers to include in your butterfly-friendly garden:
1. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Milkweed is a must-have for any butterfly sanctuary, particularly if you’re hoping to attract monarchs. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed, and the flowers provide nectar for adult butterflies. There are various species of milkweed to choose from, such as the common milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) and butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), both of which are easy to grow and highly attractive to butterflies.
2. Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
Coneflowers are hardy perennials that bloom from mid-summer to fall, providing nectar throughout a long period. Their large, daisy-like flowers come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white. Coneflowers are particularly favored by butterflies like the eastern tiger swallowtail, painted lady, and various skippers.
3. Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
Bee balm is a vibrant, aromatic perennial that blooms in mid-summer. Its tubular flowers, ranging from red to pink and purple, are especially attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Bee balm is great for adding a burst of color to your butterfly sanctuary and attracting a wide variety of butterfly species.
4. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana is a butterfly magnet, especially in warmer climates. Its small, clustered flowers are rich in nectar and bloom in a variety of colors, such as orange, yellow, red, pink, and purple. Lantanas are not only attractive to butterflies but also to other pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, making them a fantastic addition to any butterfly garden.
5. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
The black-eyed Susan is another native perennial that serves as both a nectar source for adult butterflies and a pollinator-friendly option for your sanctuary. These golden-yellow flowers bloom from summer to fall, providing a consistent food source throughout the butterfly’s active season. Their bold, daisy-like flowers are especially favored by monarchs and painted ladies.
6. Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Zinnias are easy-to-grow annuals that produce bright, cheerful flowers in various colors, including red, pink, orange, and yellow. These flowers attract many types of butterflies, such as swallowtails and skippers, due to their abundant nectar. Planting zinnias in your butterfly sanctuary will offer continuous color throughout the summer months, ensuring butterflies always have a food source.
7. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja spp.)
As the name suggests, the butterfly bush is a top choice for attracting butterflies. These large, fragrant clusters of small flowers bloom from mid-summer to fall and are especially attractive to migrating butterflies. Butterfly bush comes in shades of purple, pink, and white, and is particularly favored by species like the red admiral, painted lady, and monarch.
8. Blackberry (Rubus spp.)
While primarily known for producing delicious fruit, blackberries also offer valuable nectar for butterflies. The white flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer provide a food source for a range of butterflies. Plus, the dense thickets of blackberry bushes offer excellent shelter for caterpillars and other wildlife.
9. Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Lavender is not only a beautiful, fragrant plant but also a favorite of butterflies. Its spikes of purple flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, providing a much-needed nectar source for a variety of butterflies, especially when other flowers are not yet in bloom. Lavender also attracts bees, making it a valuable plant for supporting pollinator populations.
10. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet alyssum is a low-growing, spreading annual that produces small, fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple.