Butterfly Gardens

Source(s): Stephen D Pettis

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There are many species of butterflies but one thing about all of them is true; they are all lovely. Most folks despise most insects but few people do not welcome these insects into their gardens. Many gardeners actually plant flowers and flowering trees and shrubs to attract these summer time friends.

The key to successful butterfly gardening is to select a variety of flowering plants so butterflies are attracted to the food source all summer long. Plant annuals, perennials, and flowering trees and shrubs to attract a variety of butterflies consistently. Utilize plants of different colors as well. Plants such as daisies, Queen Ann’s lace, yarrow, alyssum, golden rod, alfalfa, clovers, and vetches will attract beneficial insects. Keeping your plants flowering for as long as possible is another key to having a consistent variety of butterfly attracting plants. Annuals and perennials benefit from ‘deadheading’ or removing spent flowers. Pinching off old flowers stimulates herbaceous plants to produce more blooms for longer periods of time. Be sure however to leave the very last set of flowers if you wish to collect seed.

Flowering trees and shrubs benefit from pruning at the appropriate time. Plants such as hydrangea and forsythia should be pruned in early summer after flowering. Shrubs such as hollies and butterfly bushes benefit from an early spring pruning to stimulate new shoot growth. Proper fertility keeps plants growing vigorously and provides new shoots, flowers, and fruit with the extra nutrients they need to really put on a show. Irrigate in a timely manner.

Water sources attract butterflies. Birdbaths, temporary puddles, small dishes of water, and dripping water can be easily installed in any garden. Remember to replace your water every few days to avoid mosquitoes and to keep it attractive. Place small ‘perches’ in water sources so that insects can access the water. The final way to encourage butterflies is to provide them shelter. Areas that are left undisturbed benefit insects. Allow forest edges to grow wild and do not mow open areas unnecessarily. Plant perennial flowerbeds that will flower all season by staggering different species throughout the bed. Hedgerows also provide beneficial insects with shelter.

Plants for a Butterfly Garden	Plant type	Flowering time	Favored Soil Situation	Sun or Shade
Hydrangea quercifolia, Oakleaf Hydrangea	Shrub	Late May-July persisting	Moist loam	Partial shade
Callicarpa Americana, American Beautyberry	Shrub	June	Dry loam	Partial shade
Lilium longiflorum, Easter Lily	Perennial	April-May	Moist loam	Full Sun
Hemracolis spp., Daylily	Perennial	May-July	Dry loam/clay	Full Sun
Achillea filipendulina, Yarrow	Perennial	May-August	Dry clay	Full Sun
Iris xiphium, Dutch Iris	Perennial	April	Dry clay	Full Sun
Rudbeckia hirta, Black-eyed Susan	Perennial	June-August	Dry clay	Full Sun
Ageratum eupatorium, Floss Flower	Perennial	May-October	Moist loam	Full Sun
Centaurea cyanus,Corn Flowers	Annual	March-May	Moist loam	Full Sun
Lantana camara, Lantana	Shrub	June –September	Dry clay	Full Sun
Buddleia davidii, Butterfly Bush	Shrub	June-September	Dry Clay	Full Sun
Milkweed Asclepias spp.	Annual	Mid June	Moist loam	Full Sun
Sunflower	Annual	June-August	Moist loam	Full Sun
Ilex verticillata, Winterberry	Shrub	December- January	Moist loam	Full Sun
Cleome hasslerana, Cleome	Annual	May-September	Summer to early fall	Full Sun
Cosmos spp., Cosmos	Annual	May- September	Spring to early fall	Full Sun
Lunaria annua, Money Plant	Biennial	April- May	Spring to mid summer	Full Sun
Delphinium spp., Larkspur	Annual	April- May	Spring	Full Sun

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Resource(s): Flowering Perennials for Georgia Gardens

Center Publication Number: 110