Flowers to Attract Butterflies

Photo: Jason Smith

Plants on this page are flowers to attract butterflies -
all provide nectar sources for butterflies.

The following summarizes details found on each individual flower page. This helps each gardener to understand if plants for butterflies will work in your butterfly garden.

Deer resistant plants; More about deer prevention

Native plants to North America - If not, understand exotics
Types of soil plant prefers, FYI: Soil testing methods
                                   - Acidic soil, Alkaline soil, Rich soil
                                   - All soil types, including poor
                                   - Dry soil, Wet soil, Well drained soil
                                   - Clay soil, Sandy soil
Sun requirements - Full sun, Full shade, Part sun, Part shade
If plant is fragrant, which attracts many types of butterflies
Host plants for butterflies
Flower type - Annual flowers, Perennial Flowers, Shrubs, Trees
If plants are: Short blooming flowers, Long blooming flowers
Tough plants - can withstand exceptionally warm or cold climates. See planting zones
Many flowers that attract butterflies are also flowers for hummingbirds.

When attracting hummingbirds some quick rules of thumb are:

Red to deep pinks

Tubular flowers

Trumpet flowers

Pea shaped flowers

Photo: JeffreyW

Understanding terms Warm Climate and Cold Climate:

Warm Climate:

Extremely hot and humid nights will cause plants to deteriorate. With proper soil and other growing conditions these plants can thrive through planting zone 8, sometimes zone 9.

Cold Climate:

These are areas where winds are strong in both winter and summer.
Summers are frequently dry and temperatures can be above 90 degrees, but humidity is usually low.
Because snow acts as an insulator plants survive with temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit, planting zones 3 and 4.