10 Stunning Yearly Blossoms that Entice Butterflies
In the vibrant world of gardening, there's a special group of flowers that brighten up any space while also serving as a haven for butterflies. Here's a list of 11 such flowers, along with some additional options, to create a beautiful and buzzing garden.
1. Scarlet Sage (Salvia): Native to Mexico and the southern US, this plant produces loose spikes of bright red, tubular flowers from early summer until the first frost. Growing one to three feet tall, it is often self-sowing and thrives in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.
2. Zinnias: These bright flowers are loved for their ability to attract pollinators and make great cut flowers. They bloom all season long and grow well in locations with good drainage and full sun.
3. Tickseed Sunflower (Coreopsis): A hardy perennial that offers yellow flowers and blooms from early summer until fall. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
4. Garden Coreopsis: Similar to Tickseed Sunflower, this annual variety offers daisy-like flowers in various colours and grows well in full sun.
5. Blanket Flower: Known for its daisy-like flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red, this plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
6. Firebush: A tropical plant that produces tubular, red flowers and is a favourite among butterflies. It grows well in full sun and well-drained soil.
7. Sunflower: The iconic sunflower, with its large, yellow flowers, is a popular choice for attracting butterflies. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
8. Jewelweed: This plant produces small, greenish-yellow flowers and grows in moist, shady areas. It's a great addition for creating a diverse butterfly garden.
9. Annual Phlox: With showy clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in various shades, this plant blooms from spring to early summer and sometimes in the fall. It prefers full sun and part shade, and tolerates most soils with good drainage.
10. Scarlet Sage (Salvia): Already mentioned earlier, this plant is worth reiterating due to its popularity among butterflies.
11. Lemon Beebalm (Monarda): This plant offers lavender to white, tubular flowers with greenish to purple leafy bracts at the base of each cluster. It gives off a lemony fragrance and prefers full sun and good drainage.
Other notable plants that attract butterflies include Milkweed (Asclepias), essential for monarch butterflies and rich in nectar. Lantana, with its vibrant multi-colored clusters, is another favourite among monarchs. Brazilian Vervain Verbena produces magenta-purple flowers that attract Monarch butterflies.
Siberian Wallflower, Bee Balm (Monarda), Salvia species, Lavender, and Marigolds are also known to attract butterflies. These plants generally offer bright colours and rich nectar, which are key attractants to butterflies. Incorporating a mix of perennials, annuals, and native species will create a continuous bloom sequence that supports butterflies through multiple seasons.
In conclusion, incorporating Scarlet Sage, Zinnias, Tickseed Sunflower, Garden Coreopsis, Blanket Flower, Firebush, Sunflower, Jewelweed, Annual Phlox, Lemon Beebalm, and Milkweed into your garden will create a beautiful and buzzing butterfly haven. Happy gardening!
- In addition to the Scarlet Sage, another salvia species is also attractive to pollinators, enriching your garden's bloom.
- Marigolds, with their bright colors and rich nectar, make excellent companions for flowers that attract butterflies in a home-and-garden lifestyle.
- To create a diverse garden and ensure a continuous bloom sequence, consider incorporating Siberian Wallflower, Bee Balm (Monarda), and Lavender into your planting.
- Lantana and Brazilian Vervain Verbena, with their vibrant multi-colored and magenta-purple flowers, respectively, are popular choices for attracting butterflies to your garden.
- By combining herbs like Lemon Beebalm and Milkweed with flowers that attract butterflies, you can also enrich your lifestyle, adding aroma and flavor to your kitchen and garden.
