Butterfly Nectar Sources

Large, 2" long, bright cherry red, tubular flowers emerge from whorls of burgundy tipped yellow-green calyxes from spring to frost on a semi-compact plant with deep green foliage. Fashion™ Cherry Salvia is similar to the Wish series of Tropical Salvias but has a slightly more compact habit reaching about 30"x30" by the end of summer. It makes an easy, heat and sunloving specimen plant or it can be used in mixed company, as well as providing spring to fall color in the garden and landscape. This Salvia is also daylength neutral and so can flower year-round under warm frost free conditions. Sure to draw hummingbirds and the occasional larger butterfly throughout the growing season.  Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist well-drained fertile soil. Images courtesy of Green Fuse® Botanicals, all rights reserved. Item# 12888

Nearly 1/2" wide bright fuchsia flowers are produced on narrow elongating spikes on this medium-sized Porterweed from spring to frost attracting a wide array of pollinators. In a nod to the fierceness of hummingbirds protecting their nectar sources we bring you our latest hybrid selection Fiercely Fuchsia! Porterweeds, members of the genus Stacytarpheta, are shrubby tropicals with exceptional flower power and excellent nectar production and these are the plants that many hummingbirds feed on in their winter resting grounds in Central and South America. We can tell you from personal experience, these tiny aerial acrobats will even try to face down a human over thier prized plants with a series of strong and forceful "Cheeps!". Expect Fiercely Fuchsia Porterweed to grow to about 3-4' high and 2-3' wide by the end of the growing season. Item# 13261

Producing large, often branched, clusters of large pink tubular flowers in summer atop sturdy 4-7' high stems with narrow medium green foliage. Adored by Hummingbirds and other long-tonged pollinators. Finger False Dragonhead is a rare species that seems quite happy in average garden settings where it readily multiplies by rhizomes. This is evident by the host of new rosettes that emerge in winter for spring's flowers. Item# 10238.

Large rounded clusters composed of a multitude 2" tubular flowers open a deep red, fade through orange, and finally to a coral pink are produced throughout summer and into fall attracting hummingbirds for miles around. The Firecracker Bush, Bouvardia ternifolia, is a naturally small upright to rounded subtropical shrub native to the US desert southwest and Mexico. Its desert roots makes this an easy and forgiving container plant as well as an excellent addition to the garden and landscape. Provide the Firecracker Bush with a well-drained soil in a fertile, average moist soil in part shade to bright shade for optimum vigor and flowering. Under warm frost free conditions it may flower nearly year-round. Item# 13182

2022 Missouri Botanic Garden Plants of Merit selection! 18" long arching spikes composed of numerous dark golden yellow flowers burst onto the scene in late summer and fall creating a much needed feast of nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies including migratory Monarchs, and other garden beneficials. Fireworks is an award winning selection of the native Roughleaf Goldenrod, Solidago rugosa, and it won top marks in the Goldenrod trials at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. This is a hardy, clump-forming slowly spreading (a.k.a. short rhizomatous) herbaceous perennial that is both adaptable and manageable. Fireworks Goldenrod prefers a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist to moist fertile soil although it is tolerant of part shade, part sun conditions. Use this easy to grow native perennial in naturalistic settings and in mixed perennial gardens and landscapes. Item# 12313

Plants are covered by clusters of 2-3" wide, widely flaring, 4-petalled, glowing sunny yellow flowers in late spring and early summer and are held against red tinged foliage and even darker red new growth, flower buds, and winter rosettes. Fireworks Sundrops, a selection of our native Oenothera fruticosa subsp. glauca, but has a more compact, 12-18" high habit than the species. This is a tough and easy clump forming to short-rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial well suited to sunny, well-drained sites and plants typically need little additional attention once established in the landscape. Unlike many of the Evening Primroses, Sundrop flowers are open during the day providing nectar and pollen to a variety of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 10160

Glowing scarlet 1" long two-lipped tubular flowers are borne along dark tinged spikes from mid to late spring to frost attracting hummingbirds, occasional butterflies, and long-tongued bees. Flame Autumn Sage, a selection of Salvia greggii, is a long flowering shrub-like perennial with a semi-compact, well-branched habit potentially reaching 24-36"H x 18-24"W. The Autumn Sage and its hybrids make easy, reliable, and forgiving container specimens as well as a long-flowering additions to the sunny garden or landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny site with very good to excellent drainage for optimum health and flowering. Drought resistant once fully established and deer resistant. Item# 9039

Rounded clusters up to 5" wide are composed of a multitude of rich fiery red butterfly shaped flowers that may be produced nearly throughout the year on this rare and unusual tropical vine. The curved butterfly pollinated flowers are produced on a woody twining vine with large rounded deep green foliage. An excellent choice for tropical gardens, indoors, or anywhere a small manageable vine is needed although in the ground plants may reach 12' high. The Flaming Glory Bower Vine truly is one of the most beautiful and free flowering of all vining Clerodendrums. Item# 9346

Clusters of flaming red butterfly-shaped flowers are held in large clusters above the velvety heart-shaped tropical foliage. The nectar rich flowers of the Flaming Glory Bower are produced throughout summer and into fall and attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Makes an easy, medium to large container plant where not hardy. Prefers light shade to cool sunlight and a moderately fertile, average moist, well-drained soil. Item# 9345

Large, flat displays of rich yellow flowers are born over an exteded period in summer that lasts until early fall. Flat-Top or Shiny Goldenrod provides a perfect landing platform for pollinators while they enjoy its rich nectar and pollen. Unlike many of the Goldenrods this is a true clump forming perennial that stays where you put it. It gets the name Shiny Goldenrod from its shiny foliage. Item# 10683.

The Fragrant White Mistflower produces clusters of fragrant, white, nectar-rich flowers in fall just as the Monarch butterflies are migrating southward. The flowers attract a large variety of pollinators including bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other garden beneficials. This shrubby perennial native of the Edwards Plateau is a tough hombre that is moderately drought resistant and can develop into a somewhat woody shrub. Item# 11358

The bright yellow and green variegated foliage of this dwarf variegated Glossy Abelia is a standout in the garden, landscape, and even as a container plant where its sunny foliage contrasts nicely with surrounding perennials and shrubs. The new growth of Francis Mason Abelia emerges an orange to coppery color and matures to a sunny yellow to gold and green. Francis Mason is a naturally dwarf to semi-dwarf, semi-evergreen to deciduous, naturally rounded shrub selected for its boldly variegated foliage and its clusters of large white tinged pink, lightly fragrant, funnel shaped flowers that begin appearing in late spring or early summer and continue into fall on new growth. The nectar rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and the brightest foliage color. Tough, pest and disease resistant, easy and reliable. Item# 12052

The red to pinkish-red and white tubular flowers emerge from between the spikes of chartreuse bracts from spring to fall to year-round under warm tropical conditiosn. The Fruit Cocktail Shrimp Plant, one the newest selections of Justicia brandegeeana, has a naturally more compact, better branching habit than the typical Red Shrimp Plant but in all other regards it is nearly identical. It is quite tolerant of light conditions ranging from full sun to light shade but may have the densest habit in sunnier conditions. The flowers attract hummingbirds, larger butterflies, and other pollinators. Use Shrimp Plants to add color in containers, as a specimen plant or in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. Provide an average to well-drained, moderately fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Caterpillar host: Cuban Crescent, Texan Crescent, White Peacock, and Malachite. Item# 12724

Glowing intense red, 1" long two-lipped tubular flowers are borne along short spikes from summer to frost on this vigorous selection of the drought tolerant Autumn Sage. A 'must have' for the Hummingbird lover! Furman's Red Autumn Sage is an older selection that has proven to be one of the hardiest and most freely flowering of the compact red flowered Autumn Sages and has been deemed a reliable perennial well into zone 5B and 6. A 2005 Plant Select® Award winner. Provide a full to mostly sunny site with very good to excellent drainage for optimum health and flowering. Drought resistant once fully established, deer resistant and this tough little Salvia makes an easy and rewarding low water container specimen as well as a colorful addition to the garden and landscape. Item# 10518

Vigorous and reliably hardy to zone 6! Large rounded clusters, to 5" across, composed of pure white trumpets are perched atop strong 3-4' sturdy stems on a tight clump forming plant with upright to arching narrow rich green foliage. Galaxy White Agapanthus has been successfully trialed for over 7 years in Zeeland, Michigan by the folks at Walter's Gardens with excellent reliability, vigor and cold hardiness. Our plants are in bud at the time of this writing, 5-25-2020, but will likely flower in summer where winters are coldest. Use Galaxy White Agapanthus anywhere you want to make a statement and the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item#12137

Large rounded clusters of lightly fragrant soft pink flowers with a white halo surrounding a contrasting dark purple eye are produced over an extended period beginning in midsummer and lasting into fall attracting a host of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. From a distance the bicolor flowers appear to be a blush pink. GARDEN GIRLS® Fancy Girl Garden Phlox, a selection of our native Phlox paniculata, is a tall upright to spreading, clump forming perennial selected for both its brilliant color, long season of flowering, and disease resistance. Provide Garden Phlox with a full to mostly sunny site in an acidic, average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13283

Large rounded clusters of lightly fragrant deep fuchsia flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in midsummer and lasting into fall attracting a host of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. GARDEN GIRLS® Material Girl Garden Phlox, a selection of our native Phlox paniculata, is a tall upright to spreading, clump forming perennial selected for both its brilliant color, long season of flowering, and disease resistance. Provide Garden Phlox with a full to mostly sunny site in an acidic, average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13280

1 of only 5 Monardas to be selected as an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner, 1 of the top 10 in Mt. Cuba Center's 2014-2016 Monarda trials, and in the top 10 in trials at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in 1998! The extra large, 3-4" wide, clusters of 2" long, deep red tubular flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in late spring to midsummer, depending on your zone. Earlier in warmer climates and later in colder climates. Gardenview Scarlet Monarda or Beebalm, a hybrid selection of native US species, it is similar in many regards to Jacob Cline, still one of the most popular red cultivars, but has improved resistance to powdery mildew and a slightly more compact habit topping out at 3' high. This is a clump-forming, slowly spreading perennial  that enjoys ample sunlight in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil. Sure to be a hummingbird magnet! Item# 12818

Garlic Chives or Chinese Chives are similar to Society Garlic in foliage and durability but with a slightly lower growth habit and producing flat-topped clusters of white blooms from summer to fall. The nectar rich flowers are seemingly constantly abuzz with mainly smaller pollinators.The mildly garlic flavored foliage and flowers are widely utilized in Asian cuisine. Multiplies readily and may also reseed under good conditions. Provide a full to mostly sunny position in average to well-drained soils. Each pot contains multiple plants. Item# 3084

The rounded flower clusters open to a bright orange-yellow and quickly deepen into rich red tones. Gem™ Compact Orange Fire Lantana was developed with container culture in mind where they will provide spring to fall color and nectar for pollinators all on a compact rounded plant growing to just 8-10"H x 10-12"W. These versatile heat and sunloving plants can also be utilized for hanging baskets as well as in the garden and landscape. Due to their slow growth rate, the Lantana in this series may not be suitable for cool summer climates. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Images courtesy of Danziger, all rights reserved. Item# 13121

The 2021 Classic City Award winner in the UGA Trial Gardens! The rounded flower clusters open yellow, fade into peach, and then deepen into rich pink tones. Gem™ Compact Pink Opal Lantana was developed with container culture in mind where they will provide spring to fall color and nectar for pollinators all on a compact rounded plant growing to just 8-10"H x 10-12"W. These versatile heat and sunloving plants can also be utilized for hanging baskets as well as in the garden and landscape. Due to their slow growth rate, the Lantana in this series may not be suitable for cool summer climates. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Images courtesy of Danziger, all rights reserved. Item# 13122