Butterfly Nectar Sources

Hundreds of 1" wide dark purple daisies are produced in fall atop these dense mounding perennials that could easily be grown in the place of fall mums. Grape 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. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12741

The ray petals emerge chartreuse with an abrupt change to contrasting carmine-red which increases as the flowers mature creating a wonderful twist on this old favorite. Green Twister Coneflower, a highly popular seed grown, hybrid Echinacea strain developed by Jelitto® Seed, is a clump forming perennial reaching about 2-3' high and flowering the first year from seed. 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# 12795

Flat topped clusters of bluish-purple Ageratum-like flowers are borne atop short sturdy stems that are adorned with finely cut and softly textured, medium green foliage. The flowers attract loads of butterflies as well as other pollinators and Gregg's Mist Flower flowers most heavily beginning in late summer and lasting through fall. Its rhizomatous though non-aggressive nature makes this durable and drought resistant perennial an excellent addition to the garden where it can be utilized as a groundcover as well as in naturalistic settings. It does seem to prefer a little midday and afternoon shade, especially in the hottest summer climates and in dryer settings. Item# 10811.

Large panicles, 12-18" in height, are composed of the deepest royal blue, 1" long, nectar-rich, tubular, two-lipped flowers that are produced from late spring or early summer until fall. Guatemalan Leaf Sage, Salvia cacaliifolia, develops into a mound of deep green, fragrant, triangular and somewhat sticky foliage and is considered to be hardy into zone 8 as a die-back perennial. This interesting flower-power filled Salvia has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its adaptability and reliability. It is also highly popular with hummingbirds, larger butterflies, and bees. In areas with cooler summers Guatemalan Leaf Sage can tolerate full sun in other regions it will prefer, like the rest of us, a little shade during the heat of the day. Item# 11917

A multitude of tall spikes of small purple foxglove like blooms are born in spring on this evergreen native perennial. Great for butterflies, bees, & birds. Reseeds readily. Enjoys an average moist to moist soil with ample sunlight. Excellent as a cut flower. Item# 9158.

Dense clusters of dainty white to lavender tubular flowers top the hairy blue-green to green fragrant foliage in summer. The small nectar rich flowers of Hairy Mountain Mint attract a wide variety of pollinators, and are especially important to native bees. This is a rhizomatous native perennial that will readily spread especially in moist soils. Hairy Mountainmint, Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum, is native to the northcentral US, mainly Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, eastern Tennessee, eastern Kentucky and as far south as northern Mississippi. It is typically found in moist, calcareous soils but can tolerate drier sites where it is less likely to spread aggressively. Item# 11763

This native perennial Hibiscus produces 5-6" wide white flowers with a deep burgundy eye over a long period in summer held in clusters atop the white to silvery green foliage. The Hairy Swamp Rosemallow, Hibiscus lasiocarpus, is a perennial Hibiscus that is native to moist acidic soils but will perform nicely in average garden soils in full sun. The perennial native Hibiscus are hosts to a wide variety of butterfly species. Item# 9744

Billowy, ruffly edged, double, purplish pink, 2-3" wide flowers are produced in early to midspring and are held against a foil of deep green, medium textured foliage with the flowers attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and curious passersby. Hallie Evergreen Azalea is an unusual and uncommon Aromi hybrid that develops into a 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# 12572

Considered by many to be one of the best Bottlebrush cultivars, Hannah Ray is a vigorous growing selection whose large deep orange-red flowers hang from weeping stems. The new growth is bronze and develops into a soft blue green. An excellent choice anywhere a small evergreen tree or large shrub is desired. Hannah Ray is drought resistant and the nectar and pollen laden flowers are sure to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Established plants may be found in flower nearly throughout the warmer months. Item# 11043

Arching loose spikes of dangling red, orange-red, coral, to pale yellow 1" long tubular flowers, occassionally tipped with a ring of contrasting pale yellow, are born over an extended period in summer on this durable perennial. The flowers of the Hardy Gloxinia, Sinningia sellovii, may be produced nearly year round under warm frost free conditions. This truly hardy Gloxinia is a hummingbird magnet that attracts a variety of bees and butterflies as well! Velvety, rich green, quilted foliage adorns the upright to arching stems of this hardy perennial that grows from a large fuzzy potato-like corm. Provide excellent drainage and moderate amounts of sunlight for the best results, *Note: full sun seems to produce the most continuous display flowers. Mulch in winter to protect the corm from freeze damage. In areas where hard freezes occur, the corms can be dug and stored for replanting in spring or it also makes an easy and low maintenance container plant. Item# 12162

The large rounded clusters of flowers open a bright yellow and quickly deepen through shades of orange and red into magenta and purple tones. HEARTLAND™ Neon Lantana is a new more vigorous cousin to the HAVANA™ series growing to about 18-24" high and wide making these great choices for colorful containers as well as in the garden and landscape. The HEARTLAND™ Lantana series are nearly sterile producing almost no fruit or viable seed thus these plants can spend their energy on flower and nectar production. They start flowering earlier giving you a longer season of color from spring into fall attracting a myriad of pollinators throughout the growing season. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Images courtesy of Dümmen Orange, all rights reserved. Item# 12813

The large rounded clusters of flowers open a golden yellow and quickly deepen through shades of orange into fiery reds. HEARTLAND™ Really Red Lantana is a new more vigorous cousin to the HAVANA™ series growing to about 18-24" high and wide making these great choices for colorful containers as well as in the garden and landscape. The HEARTLAND™ Lantana series are nearly sterile producing almost no fruit or viable seed thus these plants can spend their energy on flower and nectar production. They start flowering earlier giving you a longer season of color from spring into fall attracting a myriad of pollinators throughout the growing season. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Images courtesy of Dümmen Orange, all rights reserved. Item# 12814

Spikes of 1" blue to purple tubular flowers that are tipped with white on the lower two petals are produced over an extended period beginning in mid to late spring into late summer if moisture is adequate. Heartleaf Skullcap, Scuttelaria ovata, is a shade-loving rhizomatous groundcovering evergreen native perennial with heart-shaped foliage that emerges a purplish red to burgundy and maintains a tinge of that coloration even at maturity. This species is widely distributed throughout much of central and eastern US and extends into both Canada and northern Mexico. Heartleaf Skullcap is tolerant of dry shade once well-established which is one of the more difficult combinations for plants to thrive in. It will be most apt to flower longest under average moisture conditions. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other garden beneficials. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 11979

Medium purple two-lipped tubular flowers are produced from spring to fall atop a moderately dense bushy plant. Selected for their heat and drought resistance in Australian climates, the Heatwave™ series of Salvias were developed with the durability of Salvia greggii, the Autumn Sage, but with the denser more compact and longer flowering habit of Salvia microphylla, Little Leaf Sage. Although perfectly suited to our Southwestern climates these Salvias also do well under average garden conditions in well-drained soils and will make well-mannered free flowering and forgiving container specimens as well. Provide Heatwave™ Breeze Salvia with a full to mostly sunny position for optimum flowering and health. The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. Item# 12548

Medium pink with hints of purple two-lipped tubular flowers are produced from spring to fall atop a moderately dense bushy plant. Selected for their heat and drought resistance in Australian climates, the Heatwave™ series of Salvias were developed with the durability of Salvia greggii, the Autumn Sage, but with the denser more compact and longer flowering habit of Salvia microphylla, Little Leaf Sage. Although perfectly suited to our Southwestern climates these Salvias also do well under average garden conditions in well-drained soils and will make well-mannered free flowering and forgiving container specimens as well. Provide Heatwave™ Sparkle Salvia with a full to mostly sunny position for optimum flowering and health. The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. Item# 12549

Spikes up to 16-20" high are topped by clusters of tubular blue to blue-violet flowers with a contrasting white bee-guide are produced beginning as early as late spring but mainly in summer, occasionally into fall, and attract a variety of native bees along with larger butterflies. Helmet Skullcap, Scutellaria integrifolia, is a small, 12-20" high, clump forming to short rhizomatous perennial native from East Texas, all along the Gulf Coast and up the Eastern Seaboard into southern Massachussets and New York. This is a common component of the brightly lit understory in the Pineywoods and locally we typically see it in dryer or mesic uplands including hardwood and pineforests in well-drained loamy and sandy soils as well as in more moist sunnier sites. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. May reseed on exposed soils. Item# 12769

Henry Eiler's is unique in that is has petals that are quilled or rolled into tubes as well as having flowers that are more yellow than gold all with the same easy to grow habit of the Sweet Coneflower. A beautiful and eye-catching addition to any garden setting as well as a long lasting cutflower for arrangements. A vigorous clump forming perennial common to stream banks and moist areas but will do fine in average garden soils. The sweetly scented foliage gives it its common name. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries. Item# 10164.

Huge 4-6" bright yellow, green-eyed daisies are held on4-6'+ sturdy stems and produce an extended summer display. A reliable and vigorous clump forming perennial that is adored by butterflies and pollinators of all shapes and sizes. The rich green deeply cut foliage is disease and pest resistant. Deadhead spent flowers to extend the flowering season well into fall. Appreciates ample moisture when in growth. One of our favorites! Item# 9366.

Large rounded clusters of composed of hundreds of dainty pinkish-purple flowers are borne in mid to late summer atop tall, sturdy, upright to arching, hollow, purple spotted stems with whorled, medium green, rugose foliage. Joe Pye Weed is a long-lived clump forming native perennial that is typically found growing on stream banks and other moist areas but it does just fine under average garden conditions as well. Joe Pye Weed's nectar rich flowers attracts butterflies and a variety of smaller pollinators. Item# 475.

Clusters of red to red-orange, yellow to orange throated, tubular flowers are borne from spring to fall on established plants with the peak flowering season in early to mid spring and again in mid to late summer to fall. Honey Coral™Honeysuckle is a tame and manageable vine perfectly suited to fences and medium sized trellises and arbors. The flowers attract hummingbirds and occasional butterflies. Pollinated flowers develop into clusters of clear red berries that make summer and fall fruit for songbirds. Their tame habit and long blooming season make the native Coral Honeysuckles an easy choice for covering a fence, arbor or trellis. Item# 11491

The large rounded, almost bottlebrush-like spikes, up to 6" long and 3" in diameter, are composed of bright golden orange to apricot tubular flowers that curl around curiously at their tips are produced nearly year-round attracting both hummingbirds and bees. Honey Gem Grevillea is a vigorous, well-branched, medium to large, heat and sunloving, evergreen shrub that is cloaked in fine-textured, deeply cut, grayish green foliage. Use it as a specimen plant or informal screen or hedge. Grevillea are normally somewhat xeric but have proven to be wonderfully tolerant of high humidity and average moist soils and will need little supplemental water once well-established in the garden or landscape. Honey Gem Grevillea can be maintained as an easy, low-maintenance and forgiving container specimen that can be overwintered indoors where not hardy. Can also be utilized as cut flowers. Item# 12642

1" long tubular red to deep pinkish red flowers tipped in yellow are produced from spring to frost on low compact plants whose semi-trailing stems seem to be weighed down by the profusion of flowers. Along with Vermillionaire™, Honeybells™ Cuphea or Cigar Plant is one of the most exciting Cuphea hybrids to emerge in recent years! Its compact semi-weeping habit make it a perfect hanging basket or container specimen or place it near the front of the border in gardens and landscapes where it is sure to shine throughout the growing season. Honeybells™ Cigar Plant earned the Award of Distinction and the Classic City Award in the 2019 University of Georgia trials and received very high marks, 4.84 out of 5, in 2019 trials at Penn State. Provide a full sun to partly shaded location in an average moist, fertile, average to well-drained soil. The red tubular flowers are sure to draw in hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved. Item# 11997

Swollen clusters of bright yellow, fragrant flowers of borne from spring to fall on this vigorous growing Butterfly Bush. Honeycomb is probably our favorite yellow flowered Buddleja. Be sure to give it room it is a vigorous growing plant! Item # 968.