Butterfly Nectar Sources

Deep violet trumpets are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop sturdy stems. Mayan™ Purple 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# 12435

Pure white trumpets are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop sturdy stems. Mayan™ White 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# 12598

These Coneflowers are produced with a range of ray colors from creamy yellow, through banana yellow, and into mango and pumpkin. Mellow Yellows Coneflower, a seed grown selection of Echinacea purpurea developed by Jelitto® Seed that has taken 20 years to develop, was selected for its better and more consistent branching habit, larger deeper colored flowers and scapes, and improved disease resistance. Coneflowers are clump forming perennials whose often fragrant flowers are adored by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators that can be enjoyed as part of the sunny garden garden and landscape as well as container specimens. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Periodic deadheading will keep the plants looking clean and may help promote continuous flowering. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained, fertile, preferably mineral soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Photos courtesy of Jelitto® Seed, all rights reserved. Item# 12794

From dense spikes of dark colored calyxes emerge purple two-lipped tubular flowers that are produced throughout much of the year on a compact dense and low growing plant with bright green quilted foliage. Mesa Azure Salvia is a hybrid selection from the Mesa series and the nectar rich flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and long tongued bees anytime this tidy plant is in bloom. If flowering slows down a light pruning and fertilizing will send back into production. Mesa Azure Salvia will perform best in a well-drained sunny location and is moderately drought resistant once well-established. Item# 11147

The typical Mexican Butterfly Weed that produces clusters of orange to red-orange flowers with contrasting sunny yellow centers are produced from mid to late spring to frost or nearly year round under warm tropical conditions. An excellent host plant for Monarch, Queen, and Soldier Butterflies. It has a naturally upright to vase shaped habit and the stems are adorned with medium sized deep green narrow foliage. Mexican Butterfly Weed can be grown as a short-lived (2-3 years usually) die-back perennial in zones 8-9, it should remain evergreen in zone 10, and is commonly grown as an annual in colder zones. Makes a wonderful heat and sunloving plant with something of a tropical look. Use Mexican Butterfly Weed at the back of the perennial border or in mixed combination pots. Item# 502

Large clusters of fiery orange-red tubular flowers are produced from summer through fall to yearround in warm tropical climates and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Clusters of shiny black 3/8" fruit develop on pollinated flowers and are utilized by songbirds. When grown in full to mostly sunny conditions the foliage generally has a reddish tinge. The Firebush, Hamelia patens var. patens, is native to the southern half of Florida and is evergreen under frost free conditions and can develop into a medium to large shrub. *We have grown this species in our zone 8B gardens for over 30 years as a quite reliable 3-4' high die-back perennial. Each winter it freezes back to its crown and then returns in mid to late spring to flower through much of summer and into fall. Provide a full to mostly sunny site, although they are fairly tolerant, for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 10668

Clusters of bright orange 1-2" wide, daisy-like flowers with a yellow 'eye' that matures to orange are produced throughout the growing season to potentially year-round under warm frost free conditions. The Mexican Flame Vine, Senecio confusus, a.k.a Pseudogynoxis chenopodioides, is a naturally evergreen, small to medium-sized, herbaceous, twining tropical vine whose nectar and pollen-laden flowers are favored by butterflies, especially migrating Monarchs, as well as bees and hummingbirds. It is known to be a root hardy perennial in zones 9-10 and even in 8B if provided with a breathable insulative mulch for winter. It can be easily overwintered as a container plant and it is vigorous enough to enjoy as an annual where not hardy. Use this easy and vigorous vine on trellises and fences or allow it to spill from a hanging basket. Provide the Mexican Flame Vine with a full to partly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 505

2-3" wide rounded clusters of white to light rose pink flowers, sometimes with green to purple tones, are produced in late spring and summer attracting bees and other smaller pollinators. Mexican Whorled Milkweed, Asclepias fascicularis, is considered one of the better native Milkweeds for garden culture. This West Coast native, rhizomatous perennial grows to about 2-3' high and spreads to about 2-3' wide with its many stems adorned in narrow medium green foliage and are readily utilized by Monarch butterflies as a larval food source. It is highly drought resistant once fully established though plants tend to look and flower best under average moisture conditions. Mexican Whorled Milkweed is found in all West Coast states including into Idaho, Utah, and Nevada as well as into Baja Mexico. Provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Naturally enters dormancy in late summer returning in spring. Caterpillar host: Queen and Monarch. Item# 12974

Clear pumpkin orange trumpet shaped blossoms are produced in large clusters atop a compact early flowering heat and sunloving plant. Miami Sunrise Esperanza, a hybrid Tecoma cultivar developed by the Agriculture Research Service, USDA, Miami, FL, has a compact well-branched vigorous habit with exceptional flower power. The flowers of Esperanzas attract hummingbirds, bees, and occassional butterflies. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a well-drained fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Miami Sunrise is compact enough to be enjoyed as an easy and low maintenance, medium-sized container plant or as a half hardy perennial in zones 8-10. Protect with a winter mulch in zones 8 and 9. Item# 9357

Rich purplish-pink, ruffly edged, nearly 3" wide flowers with a deep red-purple blotch and darker flecking are produced in midspring and are held against a foil of medium to coarse-textured foliage with the flowers attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and curious passersby. Michaele Lux Evergreen Azalea is an unusual and uncommon Aromi hybrid that develops into a small to medium-sized, densely branched shrub. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Images courtesy of Maarten Van der Giessen, Van der Giessens Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 12573

Large 8-9" wide glowing deep red flowers are held against the dark burgundy maple-like foliage of this hardy Hibiscus. Midnight Marvel Perennial Hibiscus is a show stopper that absolutely pops in the summer and early fall landscape! Another excellent Walter's Gardens introduction, this hardy Hibiscus is sure to make a statement whether in the garden and landscape or all on its own. Like some of the other Walter's Gardens Hibiscus introduction, Midnight Marvel flowers all the way from the top to the bottom of these naturally rounded plants. Provide full to mostly sun and a moderately rich moist soil. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 11420

Midnight Mexican Bush Sage produces long, rich purple, tubular flowers that emerge from velvety purple calyxes creating long upright to gently arching spikes of flowers in late summer and fall (and spring where protected from freezing). Soft velvety finely textured foliage on a durable and deer proof, reliable, clump forming perennial. Great for hummingbirds and butterflies! Item# 2981.

The deep maroon foliage provides a contrasting foil for the ball-like clusters of 2" long, tubular light pink flowers whose nectar and pollen attract a variety of pollinators like hummingbirds, larger butterflies, and long-tongued bees. Midnight Oil Eastern Beebalm, a selection of Monarda bradburiana, is a many stemmed, clump-forming to slowly spreading, upright growing, native, herbaceous perennial selected for its unique, dark and mysterious foliage. This species is noted for its earlier flowering, excellent disease resistance, a naturally shorter 18-24" high habit, drought resistance as compared to other species of Monarda, and tolerance for thinner, poorer, and/or gravelly soils. Plants may lose foliage when drought stressed so average moisture is generally preferred under garden conditions. Provide a full to mostly sunny to partially shaded site in well-drained, average moist soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Brent Horvath, Intrinsic Perennial Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13167

Deep glowing red full Hibiscus flowers are held against the deep burgundy foliage of this exceptionally beautiful hardy and compact Hibiscus and Mimi is sure to be a conversation piece in any garden. Begins flowering early and at a young age. This is a cold hardy perennial Hibiscus that is well suited to container culture or in moist garden settings as well as in the shallow edges of water gardens, ponds, and in bog gardens. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 11149

Clusters of fragrant pure white flowers are produced atop sturdy 15-20" high stems in mid to late spring providing a feast of nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds. Minnie Pearl Phlox, a selection of our native Phlox caroliniana, begins flowering earlier than Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata, and is an easy slowly spreading, groundcovering perennial with excellent disease resistance. This plant was discovered along a Mississippi roadside by Karen Partlow and was introduced by Tony Avant of Plant Delights Nursery in 2003. With its easy and reliable nature it has quickly become an enduring native perennial for the garden and landscape as well as part of more naturalistic settings like meadows, prairies, and of course roadsides. Item# 12311 

Spikes of deep dark red two-lipped tubular flowers are produced from spring to fall atop this dwarf densely branching perennial Salvia. A 5-star performer in Salvia trials at the Chicago Botanic Gardens! Mirage™ Cherry Red Salvia, a form of Autumn Sage or Salvia greggii, was selected for its heat and cold tolerance, and exceptional flower power. Its dwarf and compact habit is perfectly suited for use as a low maintenance and forgiving container specimen as well as in hot and sunny garden and landscape settings. The dark colored flowers are sure to attract low flying hummingbirds as well as the occassional butterfly and larger bees with its nectar rich flowers. Provide a well-drained soil in full to mostly sunny conditions and never keep soggy wet. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved. Item# 12204

Spikes of deep rose tubular buds open to display starkly contrasting near white lower petals creating a bright two-tone effect and are produced from spring to fall atop this densely branching perennial Salvia with excellent flower power. The top performer in trials at Welby Flower Trials in 2020! Mirage™ Rose Bicolor Salvia, a form of Autumn Sage or Salvia greggii, was selected for its heat and cold tolerance, and exceptional flower power. Its vigorous well-branched semi-compact habit is perfectly suited for use as a low maintenance and forgiving container specimen as well as in hot and sunny garden and landscape settings. The two-toned flowers are sure to attract low flying hummingbirds as well as the occassional butterfly and larger bees with its nectar rich flowers. Provide a well-drained soil in full to mostly sunny conditions and never keep soggy wet. Images courtesy of Darwin Perennials, all rights reserved. Item# 12423

As well mannered in the garden as it name implies Miss Manners Physostegia stays in a tidy clump. In summer it produces dense spikes of tubular white flowers atop sturdy stems that attract a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds. This is a hardy, perennial that is native to the eastern half of North America and prefers moist to wet soils but performs well with average moisture. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 11094

A dwarf Rudbeckia, the Missouri Orange Coneflower produces 2" wide deep golden yellow to near orange dark-eyed daisies in summer on 12-16" high stems from a low rosette of narrow rich green foliage. An excellent choice for the front of a sunny perennial border. Item# 9262.

 A knockout combination! The large, 7-8" wide, white to very pale pink flowers with large starkly contrasting scarlet eye that is surrounded by a narrow fuchsia halo that bleeds out into overlapping petals and are set against a dark backdrop of deep burgundy to deep green maple-like foliage. Mocha Moon Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a moderately vigorous growing, clump forming, herbaceous perennial building to about 4' high and 5-6' at maturity. Like most of the newer Hibiscus developed by Walter's Gardens, Mocha Moon is an indeterminate type meaning that the plants 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 full sun for the darkest foliage and provide a 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# 13329

Huge, deep orange-red tubular flowers open from dark tinged calyxes and 8-12" long spikes in summer and fall, when grown as a perennial, to potentially year round under warm tropical conditions attracting hummingbirds for miles! Mole Poblano Mexican Chocolate Scarlet Sage, a selection of Salvia gesneriflora, is more compact and flowers much longer than its parent growing to about 6-7' high and wide. This giant growing Salvia, the species is reported to grow over 20' high, is a shade tolerant, herbaceous to shrub-like tender perennial Salvia that is adorned with fragrant, large heart-shaped, fuzzy, quilted foliage and is anecdotally root hardy into zone 8A. Its only real drawback is that it should be grown in a sheltered area protected from strong winds and heavy rains as the stems are subject to breakage. It can be pruned to help keep the plant shorter, stronger, and fuller. Provide Mole Poblano Salvia with a moist to average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Item# 12583

Loads of 1-1/2" wide, purple tinged rich peachy-pink, starry funnel shaped flowers are produced in midspring with good repeat in fall all on a low mounding spreading plant. Momo No Haru Azalea, which roughly translates to 'Spring of Peach', is a dwarf Satsuki evergreen azalea slowly building to about 2-3'H x 4-5'W. Its compact habit lend it to use as a bonsai specimen but it can also be utilized as a low growing evergreen hedge or as a specimen plant in the garden and landscape. Azaleas do best in average moist, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter but have good to excellent drainage and should be top dressed with an organic mulch such as pine straw and pine bark. We recommend using a slow-release, non-burning fertilizer that is labeled for acidic loving plants. Azalea flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Item# 12801

Clusters of widely flaring orange flowers are produced throughout the growing season and are held above the glossy dark green foliage on a compact well-branched plant. Mona Wallhead Crossandra or Firecracker Flower is a naturally evergreen, compact growing, herbaceous tropical plant with spring to fall flower power and revels in the heat and humidity of summer. Crossandras can be used to good effect in mixed containers or as specimen plants or add them to shaded gardens and landscapes. They can even be grown as houseplants but do enjoy some humidity. Provide a moist to average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and maximum flower power. These are easy and rewarding plants that are well-suited to use on shaded porches or patios and are small enough to be used as outdoor table centerpieces. The flowers of Crossandras attract butterflies. Item# 12478