Butterflies are an important part of our ecosystem, they are known as “bioindicators” that signal they heath our our environment. Many native plants rely on butterflies for pollination, some butterflies are considered specialist pollinators as some plants can only be pollinated by certain species. It’s important they we provide environments where butterflies can thrive.
When planting a butterfly friendly garden one of the most important things to remember is diversity. A wider selection of plants equals a bigger range of butterflies that your attracting. Grouping the same plants closer together will ensure that butterflies have easy access to the flowers. A great addition to any butterfly garden is rocks, this gives a great place for all of the butterflies to stop and rest their wings.
The following annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees are considered butterfly friendly. You may notice some plants listed as perennial and annual, that is due to their zone rating. Different varieties of the same plant can have different ratings. Zoning is based on geographic climate. Please research what zone your area is rated, allow for a difference of +/- 1 zone rating as weather can differ per year.
Annuals
Alyssum
Bidens
Blue Marguerite
Brachyscome (Swan River Daisy)
Calendula
Calibrachoa
Cleome
Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Cosmos
Dahlberg Daisy
Dianthus
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Geranium
Heliotropium (Heliotrope)
Impatiens
Lantana
Lathyrus (Sweet Pea)
Marigold
Nasturtium
Nemesia
Nicotiana
Osteospermum
Petunia
Salvia
Snapdragon
Verbena
Zinna
Perennials
Achillea (Yarrow)
Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile)
Agastache (Hyssop)
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Armeria (Thrift)
Asclepias (Butterfly Weed)
Aster
Astilbe Campanula (Bell Flower)
Caryopteris (Blue Beard)
Coreopsis
Dahlia
Delphinum
Dianthus (Carnations/Pinks)
Digitalis (Foxglove)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Echinops (Globe Thistle)
Erigeron (Fleabane)
Erysimum (Wall Flower)
Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed)
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Hemerocallis (Daylily)
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
beris (Candy Tuft)
Iris
Lavandula (Lavender)
Leucanthemum (Shasta Daisy)
Liatris (Grayfeather)
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Nepeta (Catmint)
Penstemon (Beard Tongue)
Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)
Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox)
Polemonium (Jacob’s Ladder)
Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)
Salvia (Perennial Sage)
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Sedum (Stonecrop)
Solidago (Goldenrod)
Verbascum (Mullein)
Verbena
Veronica (Speedwell)
Shrubs
Abelia
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
Calluna (Heather)
Ceanothus (California Lilac)
Choisya (Mexican Orange)
Clethra (Summer Sweet)
Cornus
Escallonia
Fothergilla
Hebe
Hibiscus
Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle) Lavatera
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Mahonia
Philadelphus (Mock Orange)
Potentilla
Rhododendron
Ribes (Current)
Sambucus (Elderberry)
Spiraea
Syringa (Lilac)
Vaccinium (Huckleberry)
Viburnum (Lantana)
Weigela
Yucca
Trees
Acer (Maple)
Aesculus (Horse Chestnut)
Amelanchier (Serviceberry)
Betula (Birch)
Cornus (Dogwood)
Crataegus (Hawthorn)
Malus (Flowering Crabapple)
Pinus (Pine)
Populus (Poplar)
Prosopis (Mesquite)
Prunus virginiana (Chokecherry)
Pseudotsuga (Douglas Fir)
Quercus (Oak)
Salix (Willow)
Tilia (Basswood)
