Butterfly Nectar Sources

The exceptionally dark purple to near black foliage provides the perfect foil for the numerous 2-3' high spikes of light lavender tubular flowers that appear white against their backdrop. Onyx and Pearls Penstemon or Beardtongue begins flowering in late spring to early summer providing weeks of color and a feast of nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Even when not in flower the cloak of dark foliage provides a wonderful contrast for its neighbors. This easy to grow, clump-forming perennial is a selection of our native Foxglove Beardtongue, Penstemon digitalis, and will perform best in a moist to average moist, well-drained soil and a full to mostly sunny site will provide the darkest foliage color. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12308

Add a little tropical punch to your summer! Brilliant orange, 5-6" wide, full rounded flowers centered by a narrow pink halo that surrounds the deep magenta eye and is centered by a contrasting red tipped staminal column adorned with bright yellow stamens. Orange Lagos Tropical Hibiscus is a deservedly popular Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivar that begins flowering even at a very young age and over a long period throughout the warmer months to potentially year-round under warm tropical conditions. This is a naturally evergreen, heat and sunloving tropical shrub that develops into a well-branched, small to medium-sized plant which is perfectly suited to container culture and also makes an excellent garden and landscape shrub in areas with mild winter climates. Provide a full to partly sunny location in an average moist, rich fertile soil for optimum vigor and ocntinuous flowering. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 12644

Tall dense spikes of golden-orange nectar rich flowers are produced throughout the year in mild winter climates atop an upright growing shrub with dense velvety gray foliage. Orange Sceptre Butterfly Bush is a hybrid Buddleja that remains evergreen in mild winter climates like zone 9 and warmer. The flowers attract larger bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in an average moist well-drained soil for optimum health and flowering. Developed by Jon Lindstrom at the University of Arkansas by crossing Buddleja stachyoides x B. tubiflora. Item# 11664

A 2020 Missouri Botanic Gardens Plant of Merit selection! 3-5" wide light pale pink to purplish pink coneflowers with drooping petals are held well above the rosette of narrow foliage on sturdy stems. Flowering normally occurs in late spring and summer and the nectar rich disk flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The Pale Purple Coneflower, Echinacea pallida, closely resembles the Sanguin Purple Coneflower, E. sanguinea, and like its cousin it is a taprooted, clump-forming perennial found mainly in the central US in meadows, glades, and other open areas. Its clump forming habit lends it to use in the garden and landscape as well as in naturalistic settings. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12392

Tall spikes growing to 36" high are adorned in whorls of deep fuchsia, foxglove-like flowers beginning in mid to late spring and contuing into fall and attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Parade of Parrots Penstemon or Beardtongue is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial developed from US native species and was selected for its brilliant color, excellent flower power, and vigor. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Remove spent flowering stems to help keep the plants flowering and looking clean. Parade of Parrots Penstemon is small enough to enjoy as a container plant but will also make a statement in the garden and landscape. Photos courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc., www.terranovanurseries.com, all rights reserved. Item# 13324

Possibly the brightest colored trailing Lantana on the market and both our staff and our pollinators have totally fallen in love with it! The rounded flower clusters open a deep orange-yellow, deepen through orange tones, and mature to deep fuchsia attracting a variety of bees, butterflies, and other garden beneficials throughout the growing season. Passion Fruit Lantana is a trailing selection perfectly suited to hanging basket and container culture whether as specimens or in mixed company and will also make a statement in the garden and landscape as a groundcover or enmasse. These heat and sunloving plants are sure to provide continuous color from spring to frost. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13310

Large clusters of deep purplish red tubular fragrant flowers open to display white and creamy yellow throats. Peaches and Cream Honeysuckle begins flowering in late spring and will continue into fall. It was selected not only for its ability to flower continuously throughout the growing season, exceptionally large flowers and flower clusters but also for its pest and disease resistance. Like most Honeysuckles, Peaches and Cream flowers on new growth so provide it with a full to mostly sunny position in a well-drained fertile soil. An easy mannerly vine for medium sized trellises, arbors, pergolas, and along fences. Caterpillar host: Chalcedon Checkerspot. Images courtesy of Star® Roses and Plants, all rights reserved. Item# 11719

Spikes of 1" long peach colored tubular flowers emerge from contrasting purplish pink calyces beginning in spring and continuing until fall. Peachie Keen Agastache develops into a dense rounded mass of fragrant foliage that is topped by the long-lasting display of colorful flower spikes. The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. The neat habit of this Agastache lends it to use as a container plant as well as in gardens and landscapes. Provide a well-drained soil in full to mostly sunny conditions for optimum vigor and flowering. Image courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc. Item# 11911

Large 3" wide, deep blue, cornflower-like daisies are produced on sturdy stalks starting in late spring and lasting through much of summer on well established clumps. Peachies Pick is a dense clump forming and exceptionally long flowering selection of the Stokesia Daisy. Its dense compact habit make this the perfect Stokes Aster for gardens and landscapes. Did we mention that it doesn't flop like older cultivars? This southern selection originated from the gardens of and was named for Peachie Saxon of Mississippi. It originated to us from one of the people who helped to make it known to gardeners and landscapers everywhere, noted horticulturist and author Gail Barton of Meridian, Mississippi. Item# 10810.

The huge white flowers of Peppermint Flare are randomly speckled and lightly striped with purplish pink. This hardy perennial Hibiscus is sure to be a conversation piece! This nearly sterile hybrid produces a continuous display of huge flowers, has excellent vigor, and pest resistant foliage. This root hardy die-back perennial has a compact 4-6' x 4-6' habit and is tolerant of soil moisture levels ranging from average to wet. The Flare Series Hibiscus were developed near San Antonio so in the the words of Heidi Sheesley they are 'Texas tough' as well as big and beautiful! Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 11171

3-4" high Shrimp Plant-like, square-shaped spikes of brilliant red bracts from between which emerge red-orange, curving tubular flowers with recurving petals and are produced mainly in winter into early spring. The Peruvina Wild Petunia or Lobster Claw, Ruellia chartacea, is a shrubby, naturally evergreen, tropical plant with medium-sized, glossy, deep green foliage and grows to 3-6'H x 3-4'W but can be maintained smaller with pruning. This is the only known Ruellia species with such showy bracts and they can provide color for months. Provide bright indirect sunlight, filtered shade, to cool sunlight like early or very late in the day. The Peruvian Wild Petunia will prefer an average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12926

Large clusters of glowing purple tubular blooms are borne atop 3-4'H stems in spring and summer. This unusual hybrid was discovered by noted plantsman Peter Loos and is a wonderful garden plant where the butterflies flock to its nectar rich flowers.  Peter's Purple Monarda has an upright and bushy growth habit yet it refuses to flop. Extremely disease resistant. Item# 9887.

A slightly more compact Joe-Pye Weed-like hybrid, in summer Phantom Eupatorium produces large rounded clusters of purplish-pink flowers that sit atop sturdy dark maroon stems adorned with large medium green Joe-Pye Weed-like foliage. This clump forming herbaceous perennial was selected for its shorter branchier habit, excellent flower power, and mildew resistance but in all other regards is very similar to its larger growing parent. At maturity Phantom Eupatorium develops into a large rounded perennial to about 5'x5' whose stems are topped in 12" wide clusters of nectar rich flowers for weeks attracting a bevy of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Provide a full to mostly sunny location and a wet to moist soil and can be used in bog gardens and near ponds or other water sources. Received 4 out of 5 stars in Joe Pye Weed trials at Chicago Botanic Gardens. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 11976

1" long recurving light lavender petals are topped by a large boss of starkly contrasting deep red to purplish red filaments that are tipped by contrasting yellow stamens and are produced in about midspring. Pollinated flowers may be followed by greenish oblong tropical flavored guava-like fruit. Pineapple Guava, Acca sellowiana or Feijoa sellowiana, is a medium to large evergreen shrub, sometimes trained into a small tree, that is cloaked in deep grayish green to olive gray green foliage that has a silvery reverse. The plants have a naturally rounded habit at maturity and typically do not require pruning and the plants have few disease or pest problems so long as they are grown in a well-drained soil. Wait for ripened 2-3" long fruits fall to the ground and allow them to continue to ripen in a cool dry area. Once they soften and the fragrance intensifies you know they are ready for eating. They have minty-ish pineapple-like flavor and fragrance. For the best fruit production plant at least two different varieties or seedlings. Ours are seed grown plants. The flowers themselves are edible also and would likely be best used in a salad. Item# 1207

3" wide creamy white flowers with a burgundy eye are produced from summer to fall on an upright growing perennial with small, trilobed, rich green foliage. The Pineland Hibiscus or Comfortroot is an uncommon native perennial Hibiscus found at the edge of pine forests, along rivers, and streams. It is not always long lived (3-6 years typically) but is certainly a worthy component of wildflower gardens, meadows, other natural settings, and near the back of the garden or landscape. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 9804

Penta-like clusters of tightly packed tubular purplish-pink tubular blooms are borne throughout late winter and spring and periodically throughout the year on the well-established plants. The Fragrant Pink Panama Rose releases its sweet fragrance at night so grow this one where it can be appreciated. A good choice for containers or in the ground where hardy. A naturally rounded and well-behaved shrub. Item# 740.

Large soft pink flower clusters, to 3" wide and 8-10" long, composed of tiny fragrant nectar rich flowers adorn the weeping stems of this fountaining Butterfly Bush in summer and fall are held against softly contrasting a backdrop of fresh minty green foliage. Pink Cascade Buddleia is a vigorous hybrid and a 2018 Walter's Gardens introduction developed by crossing Buddleia davidii with Buddleia lindleyana. The flowers attract loads of butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 11636

Hundreds of 1" wide deep reddish-pink daisies are produced in fall atop these dense mounding perennials that could easily be grown in the place of fall mums. Pink Crush New England Aster, a selection of Aster novae-angliae (a.k.a. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), is a clump forming native perennial with a densely branching, naturally rounded habit requiring no pinching, and producing a superior fall show. It doesn't lodge or break over like the species can. The flowers attract bees and butterflies. Use these perennials where you would normally buy Chrysanthemums whether as part of the perennial border, landscape, or as container plants. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, fertile soil with average moisture for optimum vigor and flowering. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12841

Huge conicle flower spikes can reach 18" long and 4" wide at the base! Hundreds of small, orange-eyed, fragrant, nectar rich flowers compose the more typically 4-8" long and 2-3" wide concile flower spikes and are produced from late spring to fall attracting a host of different pollinators from butterflies, to bees, to flower flies, as well as the occasional hummingibird. Pink Delight Butterfly Bush is a medium to large, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub and may act like a die-back perennial freezing back to near ground level in the northern most portions of its range. The plants are cloaked in grayish green foliage during the growing season and mature to about 5-7' high and wide by the end of the growing season. An excellent choice for butterfly gardens. Item# 558

Huge bright cherry pink, 10" wide, widely flaring flowers are born from summer to fall on this beautiful perennial Hibiscus. Pink Flare is a showstopper with its continuous display of massive flowers, excellent vigor, and and pest resistant foliage. This root hardy die-back perennial has a compact 4-6' x 4-6' habit and is tolerant of soil moisture levels ranging from average to wet. The Flare Series Hibiscus were developed near San Antonio so in the the words of Heidi Sheesley they are 'Texas tough' as well as big and beautiful! Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 11452

Finally a pink Obedient plant that stays where you put it! Pink Manners Physostegia is a tight clump forming perennial that produces spikes of light rosy pink flowers in summer. An excellent native that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.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# 10456.