Butterfly Nectar Sources

Silver Mound Lantana is a low growing, mounding lantana that produces an abundance of soft yellow flowers that mature to white and are borne from spring to fall attracting a variety of other smaller pollinators as well as butterflies. An old favorite with the vigor and flower power of the ever popular New Gold as it spends its energy on flower production instead of seed production. An excellent low maintenance groundcover or for the front of the garden or landscape. Item# 10896.

A mainstay of southern and western Texas and New Mexico butterfly gardens! Bright yellow daisies are produced from late spring into fall and are held against a foil of dark green, deeply lobed, fragrant, narrow foliage with the heaviest flowering occurring in fall. The flowers are highly attractive to a variety of butterflies, bees, and other garden beneficials. Skeleton-Leaf Goldeneye, Viguiera stenoloba and now Sidneya tenuifolia, is a native, naturally evergreen, small shrub with fine-textured, very dark green, deeply lobed, strongly resiny fragrant foliage that is resistant to being browsed by deer and rabbits. It is tough as nails and is highly drought resistant once well-established. Use it as a low maintenance formal or informal hedge, back drop, or groundcover. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-drained soils. A caterpillar host plant for the Bordered Patch Butterfly. Item# 13084

Large purplish-red to near fuchsia colored tubular flowers are borne in dense spikes beginning in spring and continuing until frost. Skyscraper™ Dark Purple Salvia is a mid-size well-branched and exceptionally free flowering Sage perfectly suited for use in medium-sized containers as well as in sunny garden and landscape settings. The Skyscraper series grows to about one half the size of the Wish series Salvias and flowers longer than typical Tropical Salvia, Salvia splendens, selections. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist well-drained fertile soil. Item# 12158

A 2019 Classic City Award winner in the UGA Trials Gardens! Large deep orange tubular flowers emerge from dense spikes composed of bronze and orange tinged calyxes beginning in spring and continuing until frost and are sure to draw in hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Skyscraper™ Orange Salvia is a mid-size well-branched and exceptionally free flowering Sage perfectly suited for use in medium-sized containers as well as in sunny garden and landscape settings. The Skyscraper series grows to about one half the size of the Wish series Salvias and flowers longer than typical Tropical Salvia, Salvia splendens, selections. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist well-drained fertile soil. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved. Item# 12157

Large 2" long rosy-pink tubular flowers emerge from contrasting light bronze and rose tinged calyxes in dense spikes atop the deep green glossy foliage from spring until first frost. Skyscraper™ Pink Salvia is a mid-sized well-branched and exceptionally free flowering Sage perfectly suited for use in medium-sized containers as well as in sunny garden and landscape settings. The Skyscraper series grows to about one half the size of the Wish series Salvias and flowers longer than typical Tropical Salvia, Salvia splendens, selections. It is reported to have some winter hardiness into zone 7B. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist well-drained fertile soil. Item# 12459

Narrow, upright to arching, 24-30" high spikes of rich purple flowers are produced in mid to late summer and into fall attracting a host of pollinators. Smallhead Blazing Star, Liatris microcephela, is a cormous, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with narrow, dark green, fine-textured foliage and produce a multitude of flower spikes per plant at maturity. This tough little deer and drought resistant native is typically found in sandy to clayey, well-drained soils in the southeastern US. Like all of our Liatris species, it is a key pollinator plant attracting bees, butterflies, flower flies, and likely occasional low-flying hummingbirds. Smallhead Blazing Star makes for a long-lasting cut flower and, unlike most Liatris, the flowers begin opening from the top downward. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in fertile, average moist to periodically dry soil. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 13266

A 2018 UGA Trial Gardens Classic City Award and a People's Choice Award winner! The large, lightly fragrant flowers open a coral pink, deepen through rose, and finally maturing to burgundy held on sturdy 18" high stems above the deep green foliage in summer. SOMBRERO® Tres Amigos Coneflower or Echinacea is a hardy clump forming perennial growing to about 18-20"H x 22-24"W making it compact enough for containers as well as being a colorful addition to the garden and landscape. Like all of the Echinaceas, the fragrant nectar rich flowers attract a variety of pollinators, especially butterflies and bees. Provide a fertile, average moist, well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Photos courtesy of Darwin Perennials, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13156

Consistently in the top 10 in Coneflower and perennial trials! Brilliant golden yellow ray petals surround the fragrant golden tipped cones creating the 3" wide long-lasting, non-fading flowers perched atop sturdy 18" stems. The Sombrero® Granada Gold Coneflower or Echinacea was selected as much for its bright, long-lasting, non-fading color as well as for its excellent summerlong flower power, clean foliage, reliability, and neat and tidy habit. 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 and landscape as well as for container specimens. Leave seedheads for fall and winter songbirds to enjoy. Removal of spent flowers may help to prolong the flowering season but is not required. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Photos courtesy of Darwin Perennials®, all rights reserved. Item# 13319

Dense spikes of rosy pink tubular flowers are produced in late summer and fall atop sturdy stems attracting butterflies, larger bees, and hummingbirds. The Southern Fall Obedient Plant, Physostegia virginiana ssp. praemorsa, is a clump forming species of Physostegia, whereas most species spread via long rhizomes, this one is a much more mannerly native perennial better suited to garden culture. It will slowly multiply developing into a dense clump of foliage and flowering stems. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a wet to moist to average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12752

A low growing, clump forming to slowly spreading perennial the Southern Prairie Aster produces 1" wide, medium purple to lighter pinkish purple daisies with a yellow eye atop sturdy upright to arching stems beginning in late summer and lasting into fall. This is another Aster that is native to sandy dryer upland soils and so is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Excellent for native pollinators.Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady.  Item# 10694.

The rounded clusters of flowers open a bright golden yellow and mature through bright pumpkin orange and finally into deep red tones all the while attracting a wide variety of pollinators with their nectar reward from spring until fall. Star Landing Lantana was selected for its low mounding habit, excellent flower power, vigor and reliable zone 7B cold hardiness. Use it as a groundcover in the garden and landscape for traffic stopping color throughout the growing season as well as for low-maintenance container specimens. When planted alone it is reported to produce almost no seed. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in an average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12886

The 2-3" wide yellow sunflower-like blossoms are held on 2-3'H branching sturdy stems with flowering beginning as early as late winter or early spring and often continuing into fall. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and flower flies. Starry Rosinweed, Silphium asteriscus, is a tough and easy, rosette forming, native perennial that is fairly adaptable to growing conditions from full sun to part shade. It is a common component of Longleaf Pine ecosystems as well as the Cajun Prairie. Makes an easy addition to roadside plantings, prairies and meadows but is well behaved enough and floriferous enough to enjoy a spot at the back of the flower garden or for low maintenance naturalistic landscapes. Moderately drought resistant once fully established and seems to prefer soils with average or better drainage. Item# 9585

The large pink, white, and rose colored flowers are set against a foil of starkly contrasting near black, maple-like foliage of this hardy Hibiscus. Starry Starry Night Hibiscus has some of the darkest foliage of any of the new cultivars of perennial Hibiscus and the light colored flowers definitely stand out dramatically! This Walter's Gardens introduction was selected not only for its amazing foliage and flowers but also for the fact that it flowers from the top to the bottom of the naturally rounded plants unlike some of the older cultivars. Provide a moist, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny position. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 11419

Rounded clusters of star-shaped sky blue flowers adorn the ends of sturdy stems in spring. Starstruck Bluestar or Amsonia develops into a neat rounded mound of deep green foliage to about 20" high once flowering is complete. This is an easy and reliable clump forming perennial that is tolerant of wet, moist, to average moist sites and that will only get better with age. Bluestars are pest, disease, and deer resistant perennials that are considered to be somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12110

Huge round clusters composed of extra large bell-shaped deep violet-blue flowers held on sturdy stems atop the narrow strap-like medium green foliage in late spring to early summer and potentially into fall on well-established clumps. Stevie's Wonder Lily of the Nile or Agapanthus is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial with a tropical look but this cultivar has proven to have excellent hardiness into zone 7. The flowering spikes are typically 2-3' high in areas that experience hardy winter freezes (zone 7-8) but they are reported to reach up to 6' high in zone 9 with reports that the flower clusters can reach near volleyball size! The flowers of Agapanthus attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Stevie's Wonder Lily of the Nile a full to partly sunny site in a well-drained, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Makes an easy and low-maintenance container plant where not hardy. May be fully winter deciduous. Item# 12467

6" wide rounded clusters of 1" wide deep blue-purple to dark purple trumpet shaped flowers are produced atop sturdy 3' high stalks in summer that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Though recent competition has increased when it comes to reliably cold hardy Agapanthus cultivars, Storm Cloud is still considered to be one of the most reliable, naturally winter dormant cultivars but it will benefit from a breathable mulch in any area that experiences freezing temperatures for extended periods. Somewhat drought resistant once well-established but generally prefers an average moist, fertile, well-drained soil in a full to mostly sunny site. Deer and rabbit resistant and moderately salt tolerant. Makes an easy and low maintenance container plant where not hardy. Item# 1144

Dense rounded clusters of starry periwinkle blue flowers are produced in late spring to early summer atop the fine-textured deep green foliage that transforms to a deep golden yellow in fall. String Theory Blue Star, a hybrid of or selection of Amsonia hubrichtii, has all of the wonderful traits of Arkansas Blue Star but with a more refined compact habit. This is a clump-forming, long-lived, herbaceous native perennial with an almost formal habit at maturity reaching about 18-24"H x 30-36"W. It can be utilized as an informal hedge or backdrop and will look great paired with native grasses in fall. This Proven Winners© selection is tough and easy, low-maintenance, sunloving, heat tolerant, and deer and rabbit resistant. The flowers of the Blue Stars attract larger bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and hummingbird moths. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12891

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Dense, whorled, almost ball-like clusters are composed of deep cherry red, 2" long, tubular flowers perched atop 16-24" stems adorned in dark green foliage are produced beginning in late spring to early summer. The nectar rich flowers of Monarda attract hummingbirds, larger butterflies especially swallowtails, larger bees, and hummingbird moths. SUGAR BUZZ® Cherry Pops Beebalm, a Monarda hybrid developed from US native species, is a medium sized, upright, multi-stemmed, clump forming and slowly spreading, herbaceous perennial selected for its bright colors, midsized habit, and disease resistance. It is small enough for container culture but is sure to make a statement in a sunny cottage garden or landscape. Monarda are hardy perennials that generally prefer a moist to average moist, fertile soil, optimally in full sun with good air circulation. The seeds may also enjoyed by songbirds and smaller mammals. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, all rights reserved. Item# 13330

New for 2023! In mid to late summer the plants cover up in up to 6" wide, rounded to flattened clusters of lime-green buds that open to display hundreds of up to 1/2" wide white daisies with a contrasting yellow eye held on sturdy 18-24"H stems. The flowers attract a variety of smaller pollinators. Sugar Kisses is a hybrid goldenrod, or Solidago, developed by Brent Horvath of Intrinsic Perennials and selected for its unusual bicolor flowers and its more mannerly clump-forming habit. This herbaceous sunloving perennial is adaptable to soil types and is not likely to be bothered by deer and rabbits. Provide a full sun to mostly sunny site in an average to well-drained, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Brent Horvath, Intrinsic Perennials, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13163

4-5" wide round clusters of deep purple to violet trumpet shaped flowers are held above the dark green mounds of strap-like foliage on short sturdy 18" high stems beginning in spring to early summer and continuing into early fall. Sugar Plum™ Lily of the Nile or Agapanthus is a newly introduced vigorous hybrid that is both dwarf and compact and is a rare repeat flowering purple flowered selection. Its compact stature makes this a perfect choice for colorful low-maintenance container specimens as well as adding a tropical feel to the garden and landscape. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and the plants are deer and rabbit resistant. Provide a full sun to part sun site in an average moist, fertile, well-draining soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of CND Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 12296

Creamy white, 1" long tubular flowers are produced throughout the growing season to year round under warm tropical conditions attracting hummingbirds and the occasional larger butterfly. Sugarbells Cigar Plant is a selection of Cuphea ignea with a compact habit and good resistance to leaf spotting, It is a naturally evergreen, herbaceous tropical whose full bushy yet somewhat compact habit lend it to use for sunny hanging baskets, window boxes, or add this neat little guy to mixed containers where it can mingle among and around the taller plants and will eventually spill over the edges to some extent. For optimum growth and vigor provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, well-drained, average moist soil. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12889

Beautiful yellow tubular blooms are born from spring to fall. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies make this a lovely vine for fence, arbor or trellis. Caterpillar host: Chalcedon Checkerspot. It is evergreen and vigorous, but easy to control. Item # 1075.