Butterfly Nectar Sources

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

Large spikes of deep blue, tubular flowers are born in summer, late summer, and sometimes into fall on this clump forming native perennial wildflower. Under natural conditions Azure Blue Sage produces tall arching stems that terminate into large, often branching, spikes of flowers that are quite suited to use by Hummingbirds and butterflies. Great at the back of the garden or in natural settings. Item# 10460.

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. 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

This is the selection with the deepest red color, comes from seed collected in southern Baja California. It  flowers all summer and fall. It dies to the ground in winter, but faithfully returns from the ground each spring. An easy to grow and drought tolerant heirloom plant. A bee-keepers pollen favorite, we are told! Item # 12101

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.

Blanketed from spring to fall in clusters of flowers that open a creamy yellow and fade into shades of pastel pink reminiscent of the old Ham and Eggs. Bandana® Pink Lantana makes a wonderful addition to the landscape or is compact enough to use in containers. The Bandana® series of Lantana are compact mounding plants growing to 18-24"H x 18-24"W with excellent flower power producing a heavy display of nectar rich flowers from spring until frost. The Bandana® Lantanas are a 2013 Louisiana Super Plant selection and have received high marks in trials across much of the US. Item# 11459

The rounded flower clusters open a sunny yellow eventually fading into golds at maturity all the while attracting bees, butterflies, and low flying hummingbirds. Bandolero® Pineapple Lantana, new in 2020, boasts bigger bolder flowers, larger growing more vigorous, mound-forming plants that grow to about 1/3 larger than the Bandana® Lantanas making them a better choice in cooler summer climates. Utilize the Bandolero Lantana's flower power in larger containers as low-maintenance specimen plants or in mixed company as well as for reliable spring to fall color in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in average moist, fertile, average to well-drained soils. Images courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12569

Fiery rounded flower clusters open a deep golden orange darkening into intense red at maturity all the while attracting bees, butterflies, and low flying hummingbirds. Bandolero® Red Lantana, new in 2020, boasts bigger bolder flowers, larger growing more vigorous, mound-forming plants that grow to about 1/3 larger than the Bandana® Lantanas making them a better choice in cooler summer climates. Utilize the Bandolero Lantana's flower power in larger containers as low-maintenance specimen plants or in mixed company as well as for reliable spring to fall color in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in average moist, fertile, average to well-drained soils. Images courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12567

The rounded flower clusters open a soft lemony yellow and quickly fading into clean bright white at maturity all the while attracting bees, butterflies, and low flying hummingbirds. Bandolero® White Lantana, new in 2020, boasts bigger bolder flowers, larger growing more vigorous, mound-forming plants that grow to about 1/3 larger than the Bandana® Lantanas making them a better choice in cooler summer climates. Utilize the Bandolero Lantana's flower power in larger containers as low-maintenance specimen plants or in mixed company as well as for reliable spring to fall color in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in average moist, fertile, average to well-drained soils. Images courtesy of Syngenta Flowers, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12568

A succession of red tubular blooms that end in a purple bat-like 'face' are topped by a pair of glowing red 'ears' creating the interesting 'bat face' look. Batface Cuphea, or Georgia Scarlet Batface Cuphea, is a tough and reliable low mounding perennial which blooms from late spring to frost. Provide a well-drained soil with full to mostly sun for the best results. An excellent choice for hummingbirds, mixed containers, hanging baskets, and in mass plantings. Item# 1220

Round clusters of lavender to white tubular flowers are born in summer on this durable native perennial. Wild Bergamot is a clump forming native perennial with good deer resistance. Excellent for hummingbirds and butterflies. This tough little native is drought tolerant and prefers to be on the dry side of moist and is resistant to drought once well-established. The fragrant foliage has been used in teas, perfumes, potpourri, and more. Item# 10484.

Highly mildew resistant and a dwarf compact habit! The dense whorled clusters of 2" long, deep violet, pollinator attracting, tubular flowers are held atop sturdy 12-18" high stems against the foil of purple-tinged, medium to deep green fragrant foliage. Bee-You® Bee Pretty™ Beebalm is a compact selection of this US native, clump-forming, slowly spreading perennial. Its small stature lends it to use as a container plant as well as a useful component of the garden and landscape. Provide ample sunlight in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Flowering begins earlier in the warmer portions of its range and later in cooler regions. The flowers of Monarda are excellent for attracting hummingbirds and larger butterflies. Photos courtesy of Plants Nouveau, all rights reserved. Item# 12863

Spikes of fuzzy, glowing red tubular blooms are borne from summer to frost attracting hummingbirds for the duration of the flowering period. Where protected from frosts and freezes Belize Sage can flower continuously throughout the year. Smooth glossy green foliage and a compact habit set this Salvia apart as well as its preference for partial shade conditions. An excellent choice for containers or in the ground anywhere it is hardy, or it is vigorous enough to grow as an annual in cooler climates. Item# 10118

Belle Starr Gold Lantana produces a endless display of deep golden yellow, nectar rich, rounded flower clusters on a vigorous mounding to trailing plant with deep dark green glossy foliage acting as a backdrop. A 2015 LSU Agcenter Plant with Potential, this hardy Lantana attracts loads of butterflies, bees, smaller pollinators, and other garden beneficials and flowers from spring to frost. Use Belle Starr Gold Lantana as filler/spiller for medium to large containers or as a groundcovering perennial in the garden or landscape. It was named for the famous outlaw queen associated with James - Younger gang. Item# 11146

The spike-like clusters (racemes) of tiny fragrant white flowers of Berlandier's Fiddlewood attract a whole host of pollinators including butterflies large and small, bees, and many other beneficials. Pollinated flowers are followed by long clusters of attractive orange berries that mature to black and are utilized by a variety of birds and mammals. This is an adaptable South Texas native that develops into a medium to large deciduous shrub to small tree. Item# 11368

Tall dense spikes of deep rosy pink foxglove flowers with a creamy yellow throat flecked and speckled with burgundy are produced beginning in late spring with the show continuing into fall above the rosettes of dark green foliage. Berry Canary Digiplexis, is the first cross-generic hybrid between the tropical Canary Island Isoplexis (now classified as a Digitalis) and Digitalis purpurea producing a vigorous exceptionally free flowering hybrid. These new longer flowering Foxgloves can be added to the garden and landscape but also make showy container specimens. The flowers are sure to draw in a variety of pollinators for the nectar rich reward. Berry Canary Digiplexis is considered hardy in zone 8, in colder climates it makes a worthy annual. Images courtesy of Walter's Gardens, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12302

White tubular blooms emerge from tall, velvety, purple calyxes on dense flower spikes from late summer to fall. This is considered to be the normal color form for the species. Soft velvety medium to gray-green foliage. Mexican Sage bush is a drought tolerant, sun and heat loving reliable clump forming perennial that is considered deer proof. Item# 10284.

The bracts start out chartreuse to yellow and quickly begin to take on bronze tones and mature to a deep brick red. A favorite among hummingbirds, the nectar rich, tubular white flowers peak out from between the bracts and have maroon bee guides on the lower lip. The Bicolor Red Shrimp Plant, a selection of Justicia brandeegeana, is a heat loving, naturally evergreen, bushy, tropical plant with dark olive green foliage and grows to about 24" high by about 18" wide. The foliage of these plants may eventually show white and cream variegation as they were propagated from variegated mother plants. The Red Shrimp Plants can be enjoyed both as container plants as specimens or in mixed company as well as in the garden and landscape. It is both full sun and bright shade tolerant but tends to have the densest branching habit where it receives at least 4 hours or more of direct sunlight. Provide an average to well-drained, moderately fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. The Red Shrimp Plant is an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. Item# 12909

2018 Best of the Best Award at the UGA Trial Gardens! The deep indigo tubular flowers emerge from whorls of dark colored calyxes adorning tall dark spikes that are held above the rich green foliage and are produced from late spring or early summer to frost. Big Blue Salvia, a seed grown strain with the same parentage of and is an improvement upon the award winning Indigo Spires, develops into a full bushy herbaceous perennial growing to about 2-3' high by 2' wide. The summerlong display of flowers attracts a myriad of pollinators and highly popular with larger native bees. Use Big Blue Salvia at the back of the border, in larger containers, as well as in the garden and landscape. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in a fertile, average moist soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and continuous flowering. Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12876

Lavender flowers emerge from dense, dark purple to near black bottlebrush-like spikes beginning in summer and continuing until fall. Black Adder Agastache is a vigorous sterile hybrid with fragrant licorice scented foliage and so it continues to flower throughout the growing season. Easy to grow and the flowers attract loads of pollinators especially bees. Item# 10807.

Showy deep violet-purple, fragrant spikes, to 8" long, are held at the ends of the arching, woody stems. Black Knight Butterfly Bush is an exceptionally free-flowering shrub, producing the intensely deep purple, fragrant flowers  from spring until fall. An excellent choice for butterfly gardens as well as providing nectar for a host of other pollinators including hummingbirds. Black Knight, an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner, is still one of the most strikingly colored and popular of all Buddlejas grown today. Item# 322.