Butterfly Nectar Sources

The lightly fragrant flowers are composed of white falls and standards with a nicely contrasting greenish to gold signal and are topped by a trio of cream to pale green style arms. Starlite Starbrite Louisiana Iris grows to about 22-26" high and flowers in midseason or April. Louisiana Irises are easy and adaptable, rhizomatous perennials with fans of deep green sword-like foliage and seem as at home in standing water as they do in average moist garden soils. Remember that these plants do most of their growing in fall and winter and so this is when they should be fed and fall is also a great time to divide plants if desired. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Starlite Starbrite was the Marie Caillet Cup from the Society for Louisiana Irises in 2012. Item# 13454

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. Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 11419

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

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

Rare and Unusual! The large 7-10" wide dark magenta flowers are held against contrasting variegated deep green foliage that is edged in a narrow band of white and pink and even the buds are intrestingly striped in green and white. Summer Carnival Hardy Hibiscus is a rare variegated form of Perennial Hibiscus flowering from summer into early fall with a compact branching habit. This is sure to be a fun plant in the garden and landscape! Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12068

Huge, intense deep pink flowers with a deep burgundy eye are held against the deep green, maple-like foliage in summer on a full rounded plant that flowers from top to bottom. Summer In Paradise Hibiscus is a hardy perennial Hibiscus that is sure to make a statement in the summer garden. These Hibiscus also make great additions to bog gardens and moist areas. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in a moist rich garden soil. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 11418

The newest color in the SUMMERIFIC® series! The summerlong display of large, 7-8" wide, ruffled and textured, lilac colored flowers with good substance are set against a backdrop of rich green, maple-like foliage all on a heavy flowering well-branched plant. Flowers may be deepest purple under cooler conditions. SUMMERIFIC® Lilac Crush Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, rounded, slightly more upright growing, well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Lilac Crush is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12844

The large 7-8" wide white to light pink flowers are centered by a deep red eye that radiates outward along the veins of the petals and the light colored petals darken slightly at the outer edges and are a standout against the darkly contrasting deep maroon foliage. SUMMERIFIC® Perfect Storm Perennial Hibiscus flowers throughout summer and is an indeterminate type meaning that they flower all up and down the stems instead of just on the upper half of the plants creating a knockout display in the garden and landscape. It matures to about 3' high and spreads out to 4-5' wide at maturity. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Catepillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12192

The large 8" wide, ruffled and textured, white flowers are heavily overlaid with sweetly contrasting deep rosy pink and a large dark burgundy eye simply that simply shine against the foil of deep green foliage. SUMMERIFIC® Spinderella Perennial or Hardy Hibiscus is a vigorous clump-forming perennial that develops into a full, rounded, compact growing, well-branched plant with exceptional flower power. Like most other Walter's Gardens introductions, SUMMERIFIC® Spinderella is an indeterminate plant producing flowers from the top to the bottom of the plants creating an amazing summer into fall display in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny location in moist to average moist to wet, moderately fertile soils. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12845

The top Agastache in 2024 Penn State Trials with a 4.92 rating! The spikes of coral-orange tubular flowers are produced throughout the growing season with the nectar rich flowers attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Summerlong™ Coral Hummingbird Mint was selected for its well-branched mounded habit, growing to about 16-24" high and wide, as well as for its long flowering season that begins earlier and lasts longer than many similar cultivars making it a great choice for containers, whether as a specimen or in mixed company. The flowers are set against a backdrop of deer-resistant, deep green, fragrant foliage. For optimum vigor and flowering provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a fertile, average moist soil, with good to excellent drainage. Item# 13497

This award winning Agastache produces spikes of sunny yellow tubular flowers throughout the growing season with the nectar rich flowers attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Summerlong™ Lemon Hummingbird Mint was selected for its well-branched mounded habit, growing to about 16-24" high and wide, as well as for its long flowering season that begins earlier and lasts longer than many similar cultivars making it a great choice for containers, whether as a specimen or in mixed company. The flowers are set against a backdrop of deer-resistant, deep green, fragrant foliage. For optimum vigor and flowering provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a fertile, average moist soil, with good to excellent drainage. Summerlong™ Lemon Agastache was selected as a Colorado State University Outstanding Plant in 2024 Trials. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved. Item# 13496

A 2024 UGA Classic City Award winner! The spikes of pink tinged lilac tubular flowers are produced throughout the growing season with the nectar rich flowers attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Summerlong™ Lilac Hummingbird Mint was selected for its well-branched mounded habit, growing to about 16-24" high and wide, as well as for its long flowering season that begins earlier and lasts longer than many similar cultivars making it a great choice for containers, whether as a specimen or in mixed company. The flowers are set against a backdrop of deer-resistant, deep green, fragrant foliage. For optimum vigor and flowering provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a fertile, average moist soil, with good to excellent drainage. Item# 13498

The spikes of magenta tubular flowers are produced throughout the growing season with the nectar rich flowers attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Summerlong™ Magenta Hummingbird Mint was selected for its well-branched mounded habit, growing to about 16-24" high and wide, as well as for its long flowering season that begins earlier and lasts longer than many similar cultivars making it a great choice for containers, whether as a specimen or in mixed company. The flowers are set against a backdrop of deer-resistant, deep green, fragrant foliage. For optimum vigor and flowering provide a full to mostly sunny site, in a fertile, average moist soil, with good to excellent drainage. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, all rights reserved.Item# 13598

Clusters of airy rich dark purple flowers seemingly cover up the deep green narrow foliage of this tough and disease resistant selection of Ironweed attracting myriads of bees, butterflies, and other garden beneficials. Summer's Surrender Ironweed, a hybrid of Vernonia lettermannii x V. arkansana, was bred and selected by Dr. Jim Ault of the Chicago Botanic Gardens for its broad spreading dense and bushy habit, exceptionally disease resistant foliage, as well as for its long season of flowering. As the name implies, Ironweeds are tough as nails clump forming native perennials that provide much needed late summer and fall nectar for pollinators. Adaptable to a wide variety of soil types from clay to loam and are somewhat drought resistant once well-established. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 12250

A profusion of sky-blue, 3/4" wide miniature iris-like flowers seemingly cover the clumps of blue-green narrow foliage in spring attracting a variety of smaller pollinators, especially bees and smaller butterflies. Suwannee Blue-Eyed Grass, a selection of Sisyrhinchium nashii, is considered to be one of the best Blue-Eyed Grasses for garden and landscape settings due to its long flowering season, mannerly clump forming habit, as well as for its adaptability. Blue-Eyed Grass is generally rabbit and deer resistant, disease and pest free, and is resistant to short term drought once fully established. Provide a full sun to partially shaded site in average moist, fertile, average to well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 10589

Sweetly fragrant spikes of tiny white flowers are produced from spring or early summer until frost on this little known but easy to grow and tough deciduous shrub. Its intensely fragrant flowers attract a host of mainly smaller pollinators and it is considered to be an especially good honey plant. Sweet Almond Verbena, Aloysia virgata, is a vigorous and pest free, heat and sun loving loving, large shrub to small tree growing to 8-10' high and 6-8' wide. In areas that experience hard freezes, like zone 8 and 9, the plants act like die-back perennials freezing to near ground level and then regrowing in spring. Plant it with Sweet Olive, Gardenia, and Banana Magnolia to have outdoor fragrance nearly year round in zones 8-9. The 2008 Florida Plant of the Year! Item# 11894

Medium to large pyramidal clusters of golden yellow flowers are produced in summer and fall attracting a myriad of mainly smaller pollinators with special importance to native bees. Sweet Goldenrod, Solidago odora, is an upright growing, clump-forming, herbaceous, native perennial adorned in anise-scented, deep green, glossy, narrow foliage and the single to multistemmed plants grow to about 2-4' high and 1-2' wide. The flowers and foliage, fresh or dried, is often used to make a very nice herbal tea, as a mild spice in cooking, and could certainly be used in potpourris as well (Bonnie fell in love with the fragrance of the dried seed heads!). The strong fragrance makes them unlikely to be browsed by deer or rabbits. Use Sweet Goldenrod in a sunny perennial border, herb garden, or allow it to naturalize in meadows, prairies, and roadside plantings. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, acidic soil with good drainage, but otherwise plants are fairly adaptable. Item# 10684

Royal purple, 1/2" blooms that are edged in white lace, are born in drooping clusters from spring or early summer until frost and attract butterflies and bees. The nectar rich flowers are followed by grape-like clusters of 1/2" golden berries giving it the name of 'Golden Dewdrop'. Sweet Memories Purple Sky Flower is naturally a large multi-stemmed tropical shrub and can be trained into tree standards or use it as a hedge or screen in mild winter climates. In mild winters in zones 8B and 9, well-established plants may act as a die-back perennials or they can easily be overwintered as a container plants. Item# 579

The heavily ruffled deep blue-violet falls and standards are accented by nicely contrasting yellow signals all topped by a trio of greenish style arems with violet tips. Swirling Waters Louisiana Iris flowers in early midseason or April and is a vigorous selection growing to 42-44" high. Louisiana Irises are easy and adaptable, rhizomatous perennials with fans of deep green sword-like foliage and seem as at home in standing water as they do in average moist garden soils. Remember that these plants do most of their growing in fall and winter and so this is when they should be fed and fall is also a great time to divide plants if desired. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13455

An exceptionally rare species found only in 4 Texas counties, Texan Trailing Phlox is a low growing groundhugging perennial that produces clusters of deep fuchsia pink Thrift-like flowers held above the low trailing stems that are densely covered in short needle-like deep green foliage. The flowers attract butterflies large and small alike. This evergreen native perennial needs excellent drainage and is typically found growing on sandy pimple mounds. It can be used as a groundcover in the garden and landscape where soils have excellent drainage. Texan Trailing Phlox, Phlox nivalis ssp. texensis, also makes an easy and forgiving container plant with stems that can trail to 12" or more. In containers use a cactus-like mix and preferrably unglazed terra cotta containers. Item# 11966