Butterfly Nectar Sources

One of the earliest to begin flowering and new for 2023! The large, to 8" wide, full white flowers are centered by a deep burgundy eye that is surrounded by a halo of contrasting raspberry red veins that fade out toward the edges of the petals. Angel Eyes Perennial Hibiscus develops into a full sized 5' x 5' plant cloaked in rich green foliage that acts as a foil for the contrasting flowers. 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# 13102

Clusters of sweetly fragrant, 2" wide, starry, pure white flowers are produced throughout the growing season and may flower nearly year-round under warm tropical conditions. The flowers attract butterflies and pollinating moths. Angel Wing Jasmine, Jasminum laurifolium f. nitidum, is a naturally evergreen, scandent, tropical shrub cloaked in deep dark green, glossy foliage that acts as the perfect foil for the bright white flowers. It has a moderate rate of growth and is typically grown as a 3-5'H x 3-5'W shrub but it can put out long vine-like canes, to 15' or more, that can be trained as an espalier to a support or these can be headed back to keep the plants fuller and bushier. This is one of the easiest and most rewarding of the true Jasmines and it boasts some of the largest flowers in the genus. It can be utilized as a specimen or hedge in areas where the plants are hardy but makes an easy container plant that can be overwintered indoors. Provide an acid, rich fertile, average moist soil with good drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. Tolerant of full sun to light shade. Its reliability has earned it the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Item# 9292

The bicolored frilly pink flowers seemingly dance across the tops of the neat mounds of medium-green fragrant ovate foliage from spring to fall and potentially through winter if not exposed to freezes and frosts. Angel Wings Salvia or Sage, a selection of the Little Leaf Sage, Salvia microphylla, boasts excellent vigor and flower power with flowering beginning early and continuing reliably through summer and into fall. The sweetly colored loose spikes of flowers are sure to attract hummingbirds and other garden beneficials. In areas where hard freezes do not occur, The Mountain Sages may develop a shrubby semi-woody base, while in zone 8 and colder, established plants act more like herbaceous perennials dying back to near ground level and returning in early spring. Enjoy these colorful pollinator attractors in the garden and landscape or as rewarding and forgiving container specimens. Provide full sun to partly shaded sites in well-drained, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Photos courtesy of New World Plants, LTD., all rights reserved. Item# 13143

Frilly, rounded clusters of dainty white tubular flowers are borne in summer atop sturdy stems and are an excellent nectar source for a variety of smaller pollinators and garden beneficials. Savanna or Appalachian Mountainmint has nicely fragrant, medium green foliage and is considered to be one of the better Mountainmints for garden settings as it is not as prone to spreading by rhizomes. Image courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 10765

Spikes of 1" long, two-lipped orangey-apricot flowers are produced throughout the growing season attracting hummingbirds and occasional larger bees and butterflies. Apricot Spring Salvia, a likely Jame Sage hybrid, a.k.a Salvia x jamensis, is a naturally evergreen, well-branched, small shrubby perennial cloaked in rich green, ovate, glossy, scented foliage and growing to about 18" high and wide.In areas where hard freezes do not occur, these Sages may develop a shrubby semi-woody base, while in zone 8 and colder, established plants act more like herbaceous perennials dying back to near ground level and returning in early spring. Enjoy these colorful pollinator attractors as forgiving container specimens or in a sunny garden or landscape. Provide full sun to part shade in well-drained, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13578

Spikes of soft golden orange to yellowish 1" long tubular nectar-rich flowers are produced beginning in late spring and continue into fall atop the grayish-green fragrant foliage attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Apricot Sunrise Agastache, considered to be a hybrid of A. coccinea and A. coccinea, is a vigorous, herbaceous perennial growing to about 3' x 3' tois considered hardy to zone 6. Like all Agastache, it will do best in a full to mostly sunny site, in a fertile, average moist to periodically dry soil, with excellent drainage, and good air circulation (i,e don't crowd it). Apricot Sunrise Agastache has somewhat of a soft airy texture and the fragrant foliage helps to ensure the deer avoid it. An older cultivar but still one of the most reliable. Item# 10210

Spikes of light clear blue, 2" long, nectar-rich, tubular flowers are held against a foil of medium to deep green quilted, anise-scented foliage and are produced from spring into fall attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators. Argentina Skies Salvia or Anise Sage, a selection of Salvia guaranitica or now S. coerulea, is a vigorous rhizomatous and tuberous perennial Salvia slowly developing into a tall groundcover-like mass of upright stems, foliage, and flowers. Provide a full sun to partially shaded site in a rich, moist to average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 9948

2" wide rounded clusters of pink buds open to white flowers that adorn the tips of stems and are produced throughout the growing season on well-established plants. Arizona Milkweed, Asclepias angustifolia, in many regards is similar to the compact bushy habit of White Milkweed, A. perennis, and while it is from the southern Arizona desert it has done smashingly well as a container plant under average moisture conditions where it flowered and fruited throughout summer and into fall. As the specific eptithet implies, Arizona Milkweed is adorned in narrow foliage which may remain evergreen where winters are mild. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in well-drained, average moist, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. In drier sites, part shade made be optimum. This species is native to Arizona's 3 southernmost counties. A host plant for Monarch and Queen butterflies. Item# 13361

Masses of 1" wide, bluish purple daisies with a yellow-eye absolutely cover these plants for weeks in late summer and fall attracting bees and other smaller pollinators. The Aromatic Aster, Symphyotrichum oblongifolius, is a low mounding perennial that develops into a compact shrub-like plant by flowering time. Excellent fall color for the garden as well as drought tolerance and pest and disease resistance make this an excellent addition to the perennial or wildflower border as well as for additions to low maintenance landscapes. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, well-drained soil.Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady. Item# 10075

From nearly red buds open large rich pink flowers that lighten toward the center of the flower and have a yellow-orange blotch. A wonderful pink Aromi hybrid deciduous azalea, Country Cousin is suited to the heat and humidity of southern summers. Early to mid-spring flowering and attracts spring butterflies.In the garden, the Aromi Deciduous Azalea Hybrids have the look, feel, and fragrance of many of, or are improvements upon, our most beautiful, US native deciduous azaleas, sometimes called bush honeysuckles, and yet are easy and vigorous enough for the average gardener to be successful with. Item# 10439.

Dancing Rabbit produces deep yellow buds that open to bright yellow azalea blossoms with a deep yellow blotch that sit in full, rounded clusters and absolutely cover up this plant in spring! Exceptionally vigorous as well. A gorgeous spring show, fragrant, and it attracts butterflies and other spring pollinators. In the garden, the Aromi Deciduous Azalea Hybrids have the look, feel, and fragrance of many of, or are improvements upon, our most beautiful, US native deciduous azaleas, sometimes called bush honeysuckles, and yet are easy and vigorous enough for the average gardener to be successful with. Item# 10719.

Great Balls of Fire is right! Medium to large clusters of large, fiery orange, fragrant azalea blossoms produce a wonderful effect and whose colors are sure to warm up the spring garden. Maarten van der Giessen says this one is of questionable origins and may not be a true Aromi hybrid but could be a Rhododendron flammeum selection, either way it seems to be a good performer and was selected with the rest of the Aromi hybrids from John Allen Smith's Gardens. Early to mid-spring flowering and sure to attract pollinators. In the garden, the Aromi Deciduous Azalea Hybrids have the look, feel, and fragrance of many of, or are improvements upon, our most beautiful, US native deciduous azaleas, sometimes called Bush Honeysuckles, and yet are easy and vigorous enough for the average gardener to be successful with. Item# 10440.

Large clusters of white, late spring flowers produce green berries that ripen to a blue-black. The flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and the edible fruits attract a variety of wildlife, especially birds. Arrowwood Viburnum, Viburnum dentatum, is a vigorous growing, naturally rounded, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with rich green foliage and is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions. Fall color includes yellows, orange, reds, and near purple. Arrowwood Viburnum makes an informal hedge, background specimen, or screen. Easy and reliable. Item# 10922

An unusual bicolored Mexican Petunia, Aztec Pink and White™ Ruellia produces pure white trumpets with contrasting magenta throats that are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop medium-sized sturdy stems. This Mexican Petunia is a relatively new, compact, seed and pollen sterile selection that can spend more energy on flowering instead of adding unwanted seedlings to the garden. It is a naturally evergreen, rhizomatous or spreading, tropical perennial that is grown as a die-back perennial in zones 8-9. It can be grown as a low maintenance container specimen plant, in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. It can also be used as a medium-sized groundcover in difficult sites. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Mexican Petunias with a full to part sun site in an average moist to wet, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12599

Medium height and sterile! Aztec Purple™ Ruellia or Mexican Petunia produces purple trumpets that are born freely from late spring or early summer until first frost to year round under warm tropical conditions atop medium-sized sturdy stems. This Mexican Petunia is a relatively new, compact, seed and pollen sterile selection that can spend more energy on flowering instead of adding unwanted seedlings to the garden. It is a naturally evergreen, rhizomatous or spreading, tropical perennial that is grown as a die-back perennial in zones 8-9. It can be grown as a low maintenance container specimen plant, in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. It can also be used as a medium-sized groundcover in difficult sites. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide Mexican Petunias with a full to part sun site in an average moist to wet, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12780

4-5" wide flowers with white petals and sepals are topped by a crown of white filaments with a light purple halo surrounding the central portion of these exotic looking flowers. Bahama Blue Passion Flower is a beautiful and vigorous free flowering selection of the Blue Crown Passion Flower, Passiflora caerulea, with all its hardiness and reliability. The nectar rich flowers are adored by larger bees and the foliage is a host to a variety of butterflies. Caterpillar host: Gulf Fritillary, Julia Butterfly, Variegated Fritillary, and Zebra Longwing. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a moderately fertile, average moist, well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Click on "More Details and Growing Info" or the image to learn more about growing Passionvines as perennials in containers or in the garden and landscape. Item# 11222

Large clusters of deep reddish pink, nectar and pollen laden flowers are produced from summer nearly to frost attracting loads of bees who are constantly working the flowers along with butterflies and hummingbirds. The Baja Red Rose of Montana, the deepest red selection of Antigonon leptopus selected from seed that originated in Baja California, is a vigorous, heat and sunloving, root hardy, tropical vine that can reach heights to 30'H or more if provided with a support. It can easily be enjoyed on arbors, medium and large trellises, along fences, and we have often seen it being allowed to grow up the bare trunks of palms in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. The plants produce potato-like tubers from which they return each spring. Provide the Rose of Montana or Coral Vine with a full sun to part shade site in a fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. A favorite for bee keepers! Item# 9027

Large clusters of rich purple to red-purple flowers sit atop the sturdy 3-4' stems of this medium sized Ironweed in summer and potentially into fall. Baldwin's or Western Ironweed, Vernonia baldwinii, is an excellent source of midsummer pollen and nectar for long-tongued bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. This species is more drought resistant than many Ironweeds once well-established and it is important to note that this species can colonize an area via long rhizomes. Its ability to colonize an area may make it a better choice for naturalistic areas like meadows, prairies, and roadsides than in more formal garden settings. Provide good drainage and a full sun to mostly sunny site with average moisture. Deadhead once flowering is complete to prevent unwanted seedlings. Item# 12356

An unusual conversation starting Milkweed that is eagerly consumed by caterpillars of Monarchs, Queens, and possibly Soldier butterflies. Balloon Milkweed is a vigorous heat and sun loving tropical African shrub that is grown as a dieback perennial except in areas with mild winter climates. It produces clusters of 1/2" wide cream to white star shaped flowers with a purplish 'eye' and the flowers attract butterflies along with a variety of other pollinators. Balloon Milkweed is adaptable to a wind range of soil types as long as they are well-drained and is moderately drought resistant once well established. Item# 10974.

Perfect for hanging baskets! The large rounded clusters of flowers open a sunny yellow and mature to creamy white creating a complimentary two-tone effect and attracting a variety of pollinators and all on a mounding to semi-trailing plant. BANDOLISTA™ Coconut Lantana was developed with container culture in mind, specifically hanging baskets, with its naturally spreading to semi-weeping and mounding habit it is sure to provide spring to frost color with minimal fuss. The flowers of this cultivar are sterile meaning the plants can spend more time and energy developing new flower buds instead of ripening fruit. Utilize BANDOLISTA™ Coconut Lantana as a spiller or filler in mixed container gardens, use it as a colorful, pollinator attracting groundcover in the garden and landscape, and as specimen container plants. Excellent for attracting a variety of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other garden beneficials. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-draining, average moist, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Images courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13630

The #1 Lantana in 2022 trials at Penn State Trial Gardens and ideal for hanging baskets! The large rounded clusters of flowers open a deep orangey yellow and mature through orange tones and finally to deep fiery red all on a mounding to semi-trailing plant. BANDOLISTA™ Red Chili Lantana was developed with container culture in mind, specifically hanging baskets, with its naturally spreading to semi-weeping and mounding habit it is sure to provide spring to frost color with minimal fuss. The flowers of this cultivar are sterile meaning the plants can spend more time and energy developing new flower buds instead of ripening fruit. Utilize BANDOLISTA™ Red Chili Lantana as a spiller or filler in mixed container gardens, use it as a colorful, pollinator attracting groundcover in the garden and landscape, and as specimen container plants. Excellent for attracting a variety of pollinators including butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other garden beneficials. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in well-draining, average moist, fertile soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 13086

Spikes of 1" long, hooded, tubular, dark blue-violet flowers with a white bee-guide on the lower lip are produced beginning in about midspring and continuing into midsummer attracting mainly bees, occasional butterflies, and potentially hummingbirds. Barbat or Barbed Skullcap, Scutellaria barbata, is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial growing to about 12-18" high and is cloaked in medium to deep green foliage. Provide a moist to average moist, fertile soil in a full sun to partly shaded site for optimum vigor and flowering. May reseed on exposed soils. Item# 13196