Butterfly Nectar Sources

A sterile clump forming selection! Machu™ Morado Ruellia produces a summer long display of purple trumpet shaped flowers that attract bees and larger butterflies. This new introduction boasts a slightly more compact habit than the similar Purple Showers but with all the flower power, heat tolerance, and adaptability and with a sterile non-invasive clump forming habit. Machu™ Morado Ruellia or Mexican Petunia is an easy to grow heat and sunloving tropical well suited to container culture as well as in the garden and landscape. Adaptable to soil types but prefers a sunny site in a fertile moist to average moist soil. Item# 12072

A superb butterfly nectar plant! Pinkish-purple daisy-like blooms with dark centers to 7" across are born mid-summer to fall. The flowers are held on sturdy stems that are 2-3'H. An outstanding and award winning selection of our native Purple Coneflower! Item # 1100.

Large clusters of 1" wide starry golden yellow flowers with anthers that age to a contrasting red may be produced throughout the year under warm tropical conditions. The flowers attract bees and butterflies and if pollinated they are followed by 3/4-1" wide helicopter-like samaras. Maiden's Jealousy, Tristellateia australasiae, is a naturally evergreen tropical twining woody climber with rich green foliage and purplish stems on the growth. It can be grown in the ground in areas with mild winters and can also be grown as a container plant where not hardy. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum flowering. Maiden's Jealousy should be fairly tolerant of soil types as it is a component of Mangrove swamps and coastal forests in Tropical Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Australia. Item# 12026

Exceptionally fragrant with a strong spearmint aroma! Malcolm's Whiteleaf Mountainmint, a.k.a. Malcolm's Mint, was selected and introduced by its namesake Dr. Malcolm Vidrine for its strong minty fragrance in lieu of the typical, sometimes camphor-like, fragrance more common to this species. This is a clump forming native perennial with an upright to rounded growth habit reaching about 3' high by flowering. The dainty flowers are pollinated by a variety of smaller pollinators but are especially relished by bees. Easy to grow and deer and pest resistant. Whiteleaf Mountainmint is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Clusters of tiny, light pink, tubular flowers are encircled by a mass of velvety white, bract-like leaves in mid to late summer. Item# 12627

Tall spikes of glowing red to purplish-red, 2-3" tubular blooms are born in summer above the foliage of this tough native perennial. A drought tolerant and hardy shrublet that freezes back to the ground to return in spring. The flowers are followed by dark colored bean pods that split open to display their brilliant red-orange beans that can remain on the plant all winter. Excellent for Hummingbirds. Caterpillar host: Holly Blue. Item# 9408.

Small clusters of 2" wide white fragrant flowers open at the end of long slender tubes release their fragrance mainly at night with some fragrance maintained throughout the day as well. Peak flowering is generally in spring and summer with some flowers produced year round under warm tropical conditions. Manacá, Brunfelsia uniflora, is considered to be the most importnat Brunfelsia species used by South American shaman's and medicine men with a wide variety of uses from poison arrows, to 'dream walks', as an aphrodesiac, as well as a medicine to treat a variety of illnesses (we cannot recommend the use of this plant in any form as it can be potentially deadly). This is a naturally evergreen medium to large tropical shrub that may be planted in the garden and landscape where hardy or use it as a container plant that is overwintered indoors elsewhere. Item# 11896

Dense spikes of tubular flowers range from soft mango orange to light peach and emerge from long lasting rose colored calyxes. The flowers are produced basically from late spring to fall atop the fruitily fragrant grayish green foliage. Mango Tango Hummingbird Mint was selected for its dense and compact habit as well as for its ability to provide a long season of color as a container plant or in the garden and landscape. The flowers attract hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering as well as the plant's longevity. Image courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12028

An award winning perennial, the flowers of Mardi Gras Helenium open to yellow and orange petals highlighted by deep reds that surround a small chestnut colored cone. As the long lasting flowers mature the reds and oranges intensify. An easy to grow and pest resistant perennial that provides a riot of spring and summer color on sturdy, upright plants. Item# 10653.

Masses of primrose yellow, 1" long trumpets herald the coming of spring and have a strong Jasmine-like fragrance that is produced in early evening and at night suggesting that they are pollinated by hummingbird or sphinx moths as well as by native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. *It is not a suitable nectar plant for honeybees. Margarita Carolina Yellow Jessamine, with larger flowers, more flowers, and improved cold hardiness over the species surviving -25^oF at North Creek Nurseries in Landenberg, PA. This a native, twining, evergreen to semi-evergreen vine with glossy, dark green, narrow foliage that can climb up to 20' high but is just as happy on a 6' fence or other sturdy support. The species, Gelsemium sempervirens, is native to the southeastern US, but, Margarita was selected by Don Jacobs of Eco Gardens in Decatur, Georgia. Provide Carolina Yellow Jasmine with a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum growth and to maximize flowering. Although, it is shade tolerant it doesn't flower as profusely. Tough and easy as well as drought, deer, and rabbit resistant. Its fragrance is enough to stop you in your tracks on an evening stroll! A Pennsylvania Horticulture Society Gold Medal Award Winner! Item# 9071

Deep brick red petals surround the rounded 'cones' of this spicily colored Helenium beginning in midsummer and continuing well into fall. As the flowers age oranges and yellows begin to show up adding to the festivities. The flowers attract smaller butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Mariachi™ Salsa Helenium is an easy to grow and pest resistant perennial that provides a riot of color on sturdy, compact, upright plants. Provide a full to mostly sunny location and average moisture. Item# 11395

Deep true red ruffled petals surround the rounded cones of this spicily colored Helenium beginning in midsummer and continuing well into fall. As the purplish brown disk flowers comprising the cone begin to open they add yellow to mix. The flowers attract smaller butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Mariachi™ Siesta Helenium is an easy to grow and pest resistant perennial that provides a riot of color on sturdy, compact, upright plants. Provide a full to mostly sunny location and average moisture. Image courtesy of Plants Nouveau, all rights reserved. Item# 12116

Bright sunny yellow ruffled petals surround the yellow rounded cones of this Helenium beginning in midsummer and continuing well into fall. The flowers attract smaller butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Mariachi™ Sombrero Helenium is an easy to grow and pest resistant perennial that provides a riot of color on sturdy, compact, upright plants. Provide a full to mostly sunny location and average moisture. Image courtesy of Plants Nouveau, all rights reserved. Item# 12211

Intense dark magenta-red 6-8" wide heavily textured flowers have a compimentary deep red halo surrounding the burgundy eye with the summer to fall display held against a foil of purple and bronzed tinged young maple-like foliage that matures to deep green. Mars Madness Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, well-branched plant with great flower power!  Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, Mars Madness is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12499

A rare color among Hardy Hibiscus, Marshmallow Moon produces medium to large, solid white, 6" wide saucer-shaped flowers with good substance and are produced in abundance from summer to fall. The flowers are a stand out against the backdrop of deep green foliage. Marshmallow Moon Hardy or Perennial Hibiscus is an indeterminate type meaning that they both begin flowering earlier and flower all up and down the stems instead of just on the upper half of the plant creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13299

3" soft primrose yellow, cornflower-like daisies are born in summer on this durable and reliable, clump forming US native perennial. Stoke's Aster comes highly recommended and its easy to see why with moderate drought resistance, deer and rabbit resistance and it revels in the heat and sun of our southern summers. Plants readily multiply into dense clumps. Super easy and tough. Item# 10487.

Maryland Goldenaster is a clump forming native perennial whose silky-edged rosette of foliage is barely noticed much of the year but in fall it bursts into color producing a multitude of 18-24" stems that are topped by large clusters of nearly 1" wide golden yellow daisies. The perfect native replacement for mums in the fall garden and one of our favorite fall flowering native perennials. The Maryland Goldenaster is generally found in sandy, well-drained soils in full sun to partially shaded locations and is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. This is sure to brighten up the late summer and fall meadow, prairie, or roadside as well. It provides bees and smaller butterflies with a much needed source of pollen and nectar late in the season. Item# 10687

The large rounded clusters of tubular open to deep orange, fragrant flowers with a contrasting gold splotch that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds in early spring atop the bare stems. Mauvilla Gold Aromi Deciduous Azalea develops into an upright to rounded, medium-sized deciduous shrub well suited to bright woodland settings but will also thrive in full sun under good conditions. The Aromi Deciduous Azaleas were developed by Dr. Eugene Aromi of Mobile, Alabama, and are known for both their amazing spring display of fragrant flowers as well as their ability to withstand the heat and humidity of the Southeastern US. Sometimes still fondly referred to as Wild Honeysuckle Bushes, these nativars will do best in an average moist, well-drained, fertile, acidic soil from partial shade to full sun conditions. Topdress with an organic mulch like pinestraw, a.k.a. pine needles, or pine bark. Item# 13291

A White Butterfly Ginger on steroids! The spike-like clusters produce 4" wide, fragrant, butterfly-shaped white flowers with a creamy heart in late summer and into fall atop large sturdy upright stems with large tropical-looking rich green foliage. The Maximum Giant White Butterfly Ginger, likely a tetraploid or hybrid of Hedychium coronarium, has some of the largest stems, flowers, and (up to 2" diameter) rhizomes of any Hedychium we have grown to date! A naturally evergreen, rhizomatous slowly multiplying tropical, it acts like a die-back perennial in areas where freezes occur, reliably returning in zones 7B to 10. The Hedychium Gingers typically grow and flower best where they receive at least some direct sunlight for 3-4 hours during the day and generally have the best looking foliage where they receive shade during the heat of the day. A planting on the east facing side of a house, tree or other structure where they receive morning sun is often optimum. Provide an average moist to moist, average to well-drained, moderately fertile soil to keep this easy and reliable heirloom growing and flowering. Item# 13184

Large clusters of lightly fragrant very pale-blue flowers, that appear white from any distance, are produced in early spring and are held well above the deep dark green foliage. May Breeze Phlox was selected by renown Netherland landscape architect Piet Oudolf for its vigor and near white coloration. This Woodland Phlox  is an excellent choice for lightly to partially shaded gardens, as a groundcover under deciduous trees. Provide shade during the hottest portion of the day in hot summer climates and a well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Easy and reliable once established. The flowers provide early spring nectar to butterflies and other pollinators. Item# 12352

Medium pink trumpets with deep pink throats are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop sturdy stems. Mayan™ Pink Ruellia or Mexican Petunia is a relatively new seed and pollen sterile selection that can spend more energy on flowering instead of adding unwanted seedlings to the garden. In many regards it is similar to but outperforms Purple Showers in overall flower power and disease resistance. It is also a tetraploid so the funnel-shaped flowers are slightly larger than your typical Mexican Petunias. The Mexican Petunia is a naturally evergreen, rhizomatous or spreading, tropical perennial that is grown as a die-back perennial in zones 8-9. It can be grown as a low maintenance container specimen plant, in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. It can also be used as a tall groundcover in difficult sites. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Mexican Petunias with a full sun to part sun site in an average moist to wet, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12436