15 Flowers To Grow In Your Butterfly Garden

Are you looking to create a beautiful butterfly garden in your backyard? One of the best ways to attract these fluttering creatures is by planting the right flowers.

There are many different options to choose from, but we’ve narrowed it down to 15 of the best flowers for your butterfly garden. By planting these flowers, you’ll not only create a stunning display of color and beauty, but you’ll also be providing a vital habitat for butterflies. These creatures need a variety of plants to feed on and lay their eggs, and by planting these flowers, you’ll be playing an important role in their survival.

So, let’s dive into the top 15 flowers to grow in your butterfly garden and get started on creating a beautiful and beneficial space for both yourself and these lovely creatures.

Butterfly Bush

You’ll love how the Butterfly Bush attracts these beautiful creatures to your garden! This shrub is a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds, making it an excellent addition to any butterfly garden.

The Butterfly Bush produces long, cone-shaped clusters of flowers that come in a variety of colors, ranging from pink and purple to white and yellow. These vibrant blooms emit a sweet fragrance that is sure to entice pollinators to your outdoor space.

Butterfly Bushes are easy to grow and maintain, making them a perfect choice for those who want to add a splash of color to their garden without too much effort. This plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s important to water it regularly during the hot summer months.

With its stunning flowers and ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, the Butterfly Bush is a must-have for any butterfly garden.

Milkweed

If you want to attract monarch butterflies, it’s important to include milkweed in your planting choices. This plant is the sole food source for monarch caterpillars, making it a vital part of their life cycle. Without milkweed, monarchs won’t be able to survive and thrive in your butterfly garden.

Milkweed comes in many varieties, from the common milkweed to the swamp milkweed. They all have unique characteristics, but they all provide the same crucial benefit to monarch butterflies.

Planting milkweed in your garden not only benefits the butterflies, but it also adds beauty and color to your space. So, don’t forget to add milkweed to your list of plants for your butterfly garden and watch as monarch butterflies find their way to your garden.

Verbena

Hey there, why not consider incorporating verbena into your landscape for a burst of colorful blooms that will surely attract the attention of passing butterflies?

Verbena is a versatile flowering plant that comes in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, red, and white. It’s easy to grow and maintain, making it a perfect addition to any butterfly garden. One of the best things about verbena is that it blooms throughout the summer and into the fall, providing a continuous source of nectar for butterflies.

It’s also a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of soil and weather conditions, making it a great choice for novice gardeners. So, whether you’re looking to add some color to your garden or attract more butterflies to your outdoor space, verbena is a great option to consider.

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan, with its bright yellow petals and dark center, is a popular perennial that can thrive in a range of soil types and sun exposures. As you plan your butterfly garden, consider adding this beautiful flower to attract not only butterflies but also bees and birds.

Black-eyed Susan is known for its long blooming period, from early summer to fall, providing a continuous source of food and nectar for your garden visitors. This easy-to-grow flower can reach up to three feet in height and can be planted in masses or used as a border plant. It’s also drought tolerant, making it a low-maintenance option for your garden.

By adding Black-eyed Susan to your butterfly garden, you’re not only creating a beautiful and inviting space but also supporting the ecosystem by providing a habitat for pollinators.

Lantana

You’ll love the vibrant colors and sweet fragrance of Lantana in your outdoor space. This butterfly-attracting flower comes in a variety of hues, from bright pink to sunny yellow to deep purple.

Its clusters of small blooms make a beautiful addition to any garden bed or container. Lantana is also a low-maintenance plant, perfect for those who want to add some color without the hassle of constant upkeep.

It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and can even tolerate periods of drought. With Lantana in your butterfly garden, you’ll not only have a stunning display of color, but you’ll also be providing a valuable source of nectar for your winged friends.

Zinnias

Now that you know about the beautiful and hardy Lantana, let’s take a look at another stunning flower to add to your butterfly garden: Zinnias! These colorful blooms come in a variety of shades, from bright pinks and oranges to soft pastels and even white.

Zinnias are perfect for attracting butterflies and other pollinators, as they’re rich in nectar. Not only are they easy to grow, but they also have a long blooming season, from early summer all the way through to the first frost. They can be planted directly in the ground or in containers, making them a versatile addition to any garden.

With their vibrant colors and whimsical shapes, Zinnias are sure to bring joy and beauty to your outdoor space. So why not add some Zinnias to your butterfly garden and watch as these winged creatures flock to your yard?

Aster

If you want to attract more pollinators to your outdoor space, try planting some beautiful Aster blooms in your yard! These flowers are perfect for butterfly gardens, as they’re known to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Additionally, Asters come in a variety of colors, so you can choose the ones that best match your garden’s overall aesthetic. Not only are Asters great for pollinators, but they’re also low-maintenance and easy to grow.

They prefer full sun and well-draining soil, but can tolerate some shade and moist soil as well. Asters bloom in late summer and fall, providing a burst of color when other flowers may have finished blooming.

So, if you want to add some beauty and diversity to your butterfly garden, consider planting some lovely Aster flowers!

Goldenrod

Goldenrod is a stunning plant that attracts a variety of pollinators with its bright yellow blooms. It’s a perfect addition to your butterfly garden as it provides nectar for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects.

With its long blooming period, Goldenrod can add color and life to your garden from mid-summer to fall. But that’s not all, Goldenrod also has medicinal properties that can benefit your health.

It’s been used for centuries to treat ailments such as sore throats, urinary tract infections, and even arthritis. So not only will you be creating a beautiful habitat for butterflies, but you’ll also have a natural remedy right in your backyard.

So go ahead and add Goldenrod to your butterfly garden, and watch it flourish with life and health.

Phlox

You’ll love the vibrant color and sweet fragrance of Phlox in your garden, attracting a variety of pollinators and adding a touch of beauty to your outdoor space.

This stunning flower comes in a range of colors, including pink, purple, red, and white, making it easy to find the perfect match for your garden’s color scheme.

Phlox is a hardy perennial that’s easy to grow and maintain, making it a great choice for beginner gardeners. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it adaptable to a variety of growing conditions.

With its sweet fragrance and vibrant colors, Phlox is sure to bring joy and beauty to your butterfly garden. It’ll make a favorite spot for both you and your winged friends.

Marigolds

Marigolds are like rays of sunshine in your yard, with vibrant yellow and orange blooms that add a pop of color to any outdoor space. Not only are they visually appealing, but they also attract butterflies with their sweet nectar.

These hardy annuals are easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them a perfect addition to your butterfly garden. In addition to attracting butterflies, marigolds also have the added benefit of repelling pests such as mosquitoes and aphids. Their strong scent and natural insecticide properties make them a great companion plant for your other garden favorites.

Plus, when the blooms start to fade, you can save the dried petals to use in homemade beauty products or as a natural dye for fabrics. So, not only are marigolds a beautiful addition to your garden, but they also serve a practical purpose.

Salvia

Salvia, also known as sage, adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space with its stunning purple and blue blooms. Not only do these flowers attract butterflies, but they also have medicinal properties.

In fact, the herb sage has been used for centuries to treat various ailments such as sore throats and indigestion. When planting salvia in your butterfly garden, be sure to choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. These flowers prefer warmer temperatures and can thrive even in drought conditions.

With their long-lasting blooms and easy care, salvia is an excellent choice for those who want to add a pop of color to their garden while also providing a source of food for butterflies.

Echinacea

Echinacea, also known as coneflowers, are a stunning addition to any outdoor space while providing a source of nectar for butterflies. They attract beautiful winged creatures and add a pop of color to your garden. With their daisy-like petals surrounding a spiky center cone, echinacea blooms in shades of pink, purple, orange, and white, making them a versatile choice for any garden design.

One of the best things about echinacea is that they’re low maintenance and can thrive in a variety of soil types and conditions. They also bloom for a long period of time, from early summer to fall, providing a consistent source of nectar for butterflies.

By planting echinacea in your butterfly garden, you’ll not only create an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space, but you’ll also be doing your part in supporting the local butterfly population.

Sweet William

Sweet William, with its clusters of colorful blooms, adds a charming touch to any outdoor space. This perennial flower comes in shades of pink, white, and red and is a popular choice for butterfly gardens.

Not only does it attract butterflies with its sweet fragrance, but it also provides a habitat for other beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs. If you’re looking to create a butterfly garden, Sweet William is a must-have addition.

Its vibrant blooms will bring life and color to your yard, while also serving as a food source for butterflies. Plus, the added benefit of attracting other helpful insects will ensure a healthy and thriving garden.

So why not add some Sweet William to your outdoor space and enjoy the beauty and benefits it provides?

Cosmos

You’ll love the vibrant and eye-catching blooms of Cosmos in your outdoor space. With its delicate petals in shades of pink, white, and purple, this flower is a perfect addition to your butterfly garden. Cosmos is a hardy annual plant that grows quickly and easily in most soil types, and it also requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal choice for those who are new to gardening.

Aside from its stunning appearance, Cosmos also attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators to your garden. These winged visitors help to maintain a healthy ecosystem and promote the growth of other plants in your outdoor space.

So why not add Cosmos to your garden today and watch as it brings life and beauty to your home?

Now that you’ve learned about 15 different flowers to grow in your butterfly garden, it’s time to get started!

Remember to choose a variety of flowers that bloom at different times throughout the season to provide food for butterflies all season long. Also, make sure to plant your flowers in a sunny location with well-draining soil and to keep them watered.

By creating a butterfly garden, you’re not only providing a beautiful space for yourself to enjoy but also creating a habitat for these important pollinators.

So go ahead, grab your gardening tools, and get started on your butterfly garden today! The butterflies will thank you.