Butterfly Nectar Sources

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.

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

4-6" wide, white to pale pink flowers with a contrasting burgundy eye and showy staminal column are produced in summer along the 4-6' high stems attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Halberdleaved Rosemallow, Hibiscus laevis, is a root hardy herbaceous native perennial Hibiscus producing multiple stems at maturity. It is typically found growing along freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams where it has an ample moisture supply and will likely prefer a similar, consistently moist, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum growth and vigor. This will be a good choice for bogs and rain gardens. The Halberdleaved Rosemallow is native to much of the central and eastern US and gets its name from its halberd shaped foliage. Item# 12975

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

Spikes of lightly fragrant peachy-pink butterfly-shaped flowers are produced in summer atop sturdy stems adorned in rich green tropical looking foliage in mid to late summer. The flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and likely pollinating Sphinx Moths as well. The Hardy Peach Ginger, Hedychium coccineum var. angustifolium 'Peach', is a moderately vigorous, rhizomatous, naturally evergreen tropical that acts like a root hardy die-back perennial in areas where freezes occur. It multiplies readily but not invasively. Makes a good cut flower and is resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits. The Hedychium Gingers typically need the equivalent of about 4-6 hours of cool sunlight in a moist to average moist, rich fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. An organic mulch with all of its many benefits is highly recommended especially for new plantings and in zones 7-8. Item# 10032

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

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.

The large rounded flower clusters, to 12" more across, are of composed of hundreds of dainty pinkish-purple flowers are produced in mid to late summer and into fall atop tall, sturdy, upright to arching, hollow, purple spotted stems with whorled, medium green, rugose foliage. Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium fistulosum but now classified Eutrochium fistulosum, is a long-lived, clump forming, deciduous, herbaceous, native perennial that is typically found growing along stream banks and in other relatively consistently moist areas but it does just fine under average garden conditions as well. Joe Pye Weed's nectar rich flowers attract butterflies and a variety of smaller pollinators including honeybees. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in a moist to wet to average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor, the sturdiest stems, and maximum flower production. 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

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.

Perennial of the Year in 2016, Missouri Botanic Gardens Plant of Merit, and a RHS Award of Garden Merit winner! As per Allan Armitage's Herbaceous Perennial Plants, 4th Edition "It has graced European gardens since the beginning of the American Civil War and is still the most popular and highly sought after white anemone today.". The clusters of 2-3" wide, pure white, upward facing flowers with yellow eyes are held high above the mass of deep green foliage on sturdy wiry, 3-4' high stems in fall. The flowers of this easy heirloom attract bees and other pollinators. Honorine Jobert Anemone is an easy to grow, clump forming, slowly spreading, shade tolerant perennial whose mass of 12" high, medium textured, deep green, Astilbe-like foliage makes a nice accent or groundcover even when the plants are not in flower. Anemones make good companions for spring flowering bulbs. Tough, easy, and reliable. Tolerant of *full sun in cool summer climates, elsewhere provide midday and afternoon shade or filtered shade. Provide an average moist, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum flowering and vigor. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12778

Clusters of light pink, tubular to funnel-shaped flowers may be produced from summer into fall on mature plants and are held against a foil of golden yellow to cream and green variegated foliage. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Hopley's Glossy Abelia, also offered under trademarked names, is a naturally compact and rounded, small to medium-sized, evergreen to semi-evergreen tough and easy shrub that can be utilized for its brightly contrasting foliage as a specimen plant, as an informal hedge, as well as in containers. Abelias are exceptionally tough, easy, and reliable shrubs that are deer reistant as well as moderately drought resistant once fully established. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in an average moist, average to well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. An RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Item# 9006

A sterile exceptionally free flowering Lantana with a compact well-branched habit and improved vigor over similar cultivars that has received high marks in trials across the US. Hot Blooded™ Red Lantana produces rounded clusters of flowers that open golden yellow, deepen to fiery orange and quickly darken to deep brilliant red. The compact habit lends this Lantana for use in containers as a specimen or in combinations as well as in formal and informal garden and landscape settings. Hot Blooded™ Red Lantana develops into a rounded mound of foliage covered in flowers from spring to fall and the flowers attract a wide variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other garden beneficials. Item# 12105