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The Top Flowers to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
Butterflies are one of the most beloved insects on the planet. Known for their vibrant colours and graceful flight, they add an element of magic to any garden. And the best way to attract these beautiful creatures to your garden is by planting flowers that they love.
Butterflies, like many other pollinators, are attracted to flowers for their nectar and pollen. Nectar provides butterflies with a much-needed energy source, while pollen is a protein source for their offspring. You can create a haven for butterflies in your garden by planting various flowers that bloom throughout the season.
In this article, we will explore the top flowers known to attract butterflies to your garden.
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Top Flowers to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
- Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
- Coneflowers (Echinacea)
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
- Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
- Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
- Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
- Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
- Salvia (Salvia nemorosa)
- Marigolds (Tagetes)
- Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)
- Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
- Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
- Lavender (Lavandula)
- Heliotrope (Heliotropium)
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Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly weed is a milkweed family member and native to North America. As its name suggests, this plant is a favourite among butterflies. It produces bright orange flowers that bloom from June to August and can reach up to three feet. Butterfly weed is also a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarchs lay their eggs on the plant leaves, and the caterpillars feed on the leaves until they are ready to pupate. So planting butterfly weeds is a must if you want to attract monarch butterflies to your garden.
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Coneflowers (Echinacea)
Coneflowers are popular garden flowers in various colours, including pink, purple, and white. They are easy to grow and can reach up to four feet. Coneflowers attract a wide range of pollinators, including butterflies. They bloom from July to September and are known for their cone-shaped flower heads, which give them their name. Coneflowers are also a good source of nectar for butterflies, which feed on the flower’s sweet nectar.
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Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susan is a yellow and black flower favourite among many butterfly species, including the American-painted lady and the common buckeye. It is a native plant in North America and is easy to grow. Black-eyed Susan blooms from July to September and can reach up to three feet. The plant is drought-tolerant and can thrive in full sun or partial shade. Black-eyed Susan is an excellent choice to attract butterflies to your garden.
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Lantana (Lantana camara)
Lantana is a tropical plant that produces clusters of small, brightly coloured flowers that are a magnet for butterflies. The flowers come in various colours, including pink, orange, yellow, and red. Lantana is a hardy plant that can thrive in hot and humid conditions. It blooms from spring to fall and can reach up to six feet. Lantana is also a good source of nectar for hummingbirds and bees.
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Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Milkweed is a native plant in North America and is a host for monarch butterfly caterpillars. It produces clusters of pink or white flowers that attract a variety of butterfly species. Milkweed blooms from June to August and can reach up to five feet. The plant is drought-tolerant and can thrive in full sun or partial shade. If you want to attract monarch butterflies to your garden, planting milkweed is a must.
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Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
Phlox is a fragrant flower in various colours, including pink, purple, and white. It blooms from July to September and can reach up to three feet. Phlox attracts swallowtail butterflies, which feed on the flower’s nectar. The plant is also a good source of nectar for bees and hummingbirds. Phlox is easy to grow and can thrive in full sun or partial shade.
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Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias are bright and colourful flowers that are easy to grow and attract various butterfly species, including the monarch butterfly. These flowers bloom from midsummer to fall and come in multiple colours, making them a great addition to any butterfly garden.
Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)
Verbena is a plant that produces clusters of tiny, purple flowers that are highly attractive to butterflies. These flowers bloom throughout the summer and are a favourite among many butterfly species, including the eastern tiger swallowtail.
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