Butterflies add beauty to any garden while playing a vital role as pollinators. To attract these graceful creatures, focus on planting nectar-rich flowers with vibrant colors and accessible blooms. Here’s a ranked list of butterfly-friendly flowers, complete with cultivar recommendations, growing tips, and why butterflies love them.
1. Liatris (Liatris spicata)
Why Butterflies Love It: Also known as blazing star, Liatris features tall, spiky blooms that butterflies find irresistible. Its long-lasting flowers are nectar-rich and bloom from the top down, providing weeks of food.
Recommended Cultivars:
- ‘Floristan White’ (white spikes, unique visual contrast)
- ‘Kobold’ (compact with purple flowers, great for smaller gardens)
Where It Grows Best: Liatris thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established and is ideal for zones 3–9. It works beautifully in borders or naturalized areas.
2. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Why Butterflies Love It: Sunflowers provide nectar for butterflies and a sunny landing pad. They bloom in mid-to-late summer, offering a reliable food source.
Recommended Cultivars:
- ‘Lemon Queen’ (light yellow petals, pollinator favorite)
- ‘Autumn Beauty’ (multi-colored blooms with long flowering periods)
Where It Grows Best: Sunflowers thrive in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. They’re versatile, growing well in zones 4–9 and serving as excellent backdrops for gardens.
3. Butterfly Bush (Buddleja spp.)
Why Butterflies Love It: With long clusters of nectar-filled flowers, butterfly bushes are aptly named and bloom continuously through summer.
Recommended Cultivars:
- Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ (deep purple blooms)
- Buddleja ‘Pugster Blue’ (compact, vibrant blue flowers)
Where It Grows Best: Butterfly bush prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Hardy in zones 5–9, it benefits from annual pruning for vigorous growth.
4. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Why Butterflies Love It: Milkweed is the host plant for monarch butterflies, essential for caterpillar development and adult nectar feeding.
Recommended Cultivars:
- Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) – drought-tolerant with bright orange flowers
- Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed) – pink blooms, thrives in moist soil
Where It Grows Best: Milkweed prefers full sun and adapts to various soils. It grows well in zones 3–9 and is a must-have for supporting monarch populations.
5. Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta)
Why Butterflies Love It: Also known as black-eyed Susans, these sunny yellow flowers provide ample nectar and a warm landing spot for butterflies.
Recommended Cultivars:
- ‘Goldsturm’ (classic, prolific blooms)
- ‘Cherokee Sunset’ (unique double-flowered mix in red and orange tones)
Where It Grows Best: Rudbeckia thrives in full sun and tolerates poor soils. It’s hardy in zones 3–9, making it a versatile choice for borders, wildflower gardens, or meadows.
6. Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.)
Why Butterflies Love It: Coneflowers’ daisy-like blooms with large central cones are easy for butterflies to access and feed on.
Recommended Cultivars:
- Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ (vivid pink-purple flowers)
- Echinacea ‘Green Twister’ (lime green and purple bicolor blooms)
Where It Grows Best: These hardy perennials thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They’re drought-tolerant and ideal for zones 3–8.
7. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
Why Butterflies Love It: Joe-Pye weed produces large, fragrant flower clusters that are irresistible to butterflies.
Recommended Cultivars:
- Eutrochium dubium ‘Little Joe’ (compact, great for smaller gardens)
- Eutrochium purpureum (classic species, tall with soft pink flowers)
Where It Grows Best: This perennial prefers moist soil and full to partial sun. It’s hardy in zones 4–9 and thrives in naturalized areas or near water features.
8. Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Why Butterflies Love It: Phlox produces fragrant flowers in dense clusters, providing both nectar and a burst of color.
Recommended Cultivars:
- ‘David’ (white flowers, mildew-resistant)
- ‘Bright Eyes’ (pink flowers with contrasting dark centers)
Where It Grows Best: Phlox prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It’s hardy in zones 4–8 and perfect for cottage-style gardens.
9. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Why Butterflies Love It: Lantana’s bright, clustered blooms are packed with nectar and bloom non-stop from spring to frost.
Recommended Cultivars:
- ‘Radiation’ (orange-red flowers, highly vibrant)
- ‘Bandana Cherry’ (compact with cherry-pink blooms)
Where It Grows Best: Lantana thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s a perennial in zones 9–11 and an annual elsewhere, perfect for containers or borders.
10. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Why Butterflies Love It: Zinnias are a butterfly favorite due to their large, flat blooms and rich nectar. They also provide landing pads for easy feeding.
Recommended Cultivars:
- ‘Benary’s Giant’ (large, vibrant flowers)
- ‘Profusion’ series (compact, disease-resistant blooms)
Where It Grows Best: Zinnias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They’re an easy-to-grow annual, ideal for zones 3–10.
By adding these butterfly-friendly flowers to your garden, you’ll create a vibrant, thriving space that supports pollinators while beautifying your outdoor area. With a mix of perennials and annuals, your garden can be a butterfly haven all season long.
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