Butterfly Nectar Sources

Large, 3-4", blue, cornflower-like daisies are born in summer on this durable and reliable US native perennial. Stoke's Aster comes highly recommended and its easy to see why with moderate drought resistance, few pest or disease problems, deer and rabbit resistance and it revels in the heat and sun of our southern summers. Plants readily multiply into dense clumps. Super easy and tough. Item# 1212.

Masses of dense blue spikes of fragrant, tubular flowers are held above the licorice scented, rich green foliage in summer on this highly sought after Agastache. The nectar rich flowers of Blue Fortune Agastache attract hordes of native pollinators and other beneficials to the garden. The beautiful form, fragrance, and flower power, and proven performance of this Agastache have made it a hit in gardens across the US. Use Blue Fortune in mass at the back of the border or in small specimen groupings to make a splash of long lasting color. Item# 10882.

2" wide deep blue to purple trumpets with contrasting yellow throats are produced freely beginning as early as mid-spring and continuing until frost, to potentially year round under warm tropical conditions. The large showy flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The Blue Glory Vine, Thunbergia battiescombeii, is a small to medium-sized, mounding to sprawling, multi-stemmed, naturally evergreen tropical, in frost free climates, to root hardy perennial in zones 8-9 and grows to about 2-3' high and 3-4' wide as a perennial and up to twice as large in frost free conditions. This has been a reliable, low-maintenance, pest free, long-lived perennial in our gardens and easily survived 8^oF and 12^oF winter lows and extended freezing temperatures. It is tolerant of full sun where it has adequate moisture but seems to benefit from midday or afternoon shade or an eastern exposure in regions with hot summer climates. The Blue Glory Vine makes an easy container plant or an easy addition to the garden or landscape and has the potential to be used as an informal groundcover. Provide an average to well-drained, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. One of our longtime favorite root hardy tropicals. Item# 327

The large, 3-4'' wide, blue to lavender, Hibiscus-like flowers are produced throughout the warmer months of the year to year-round under warm frost free conditions. The Blue Hibiscus, Alyogyne huegelii, is an upright to rounded, naturally evergreen, Australian native shrub that is heat and sunloving and is somewhat drought resistant once well-established. It is fairly adaptable to soil types and moisture as long as they are provided with excellent drainage, otherwise it tends to be fairly short-lived. Full sun is optimal and it can be enjoyed both as a container plant as well as making a nice specimen or informal hedge in the garden and landscape. It is sometimes trained as a tree standard to good effect. Plants tend to be somewhat open and if foliage becomes too sparse or the plants too larger they can be pruned back fairly hard and will put out vigorous new growth and some sources suggest that it flowers best after a good pruning. Caterpillar host: Gray hairstreak. Item# 12881

Fuzzy flat topped clusters composed of blue to purple Ageratum-like flowers are produced atop sturdy stems beginning in early to midsummer, continuing into fall, and often until the first hard frost or freeze. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, especially native bees and late season butterflies. The Blue Mistflower, Cononclinium coeslestinum, is a rhizomatous colonizing native perennial that makes an easy tall groundcover where it can wend its way around larger growing plants in the garden or landscape. It also makes an easy addition to more naturalistic settings like roadside plantings, meadows, and prairies. The Blue Mistflower generally prefers an average to moist, fertile soil in full to partly sunny sites for optimum vigor and flowering. This species was selected as the 2024 Plant of the Year by the Georgia Native Plant Society. Item# 10458

Large clusters of lightly fragrant lavender-blue flowers are produced in early spring and are held well above the deep dark green foliage. Blue Moon Phlox was selected for its clusters of large full flowers and vigor. This is an excellent choice for lightly shaded gardens or as a groundcover under deciduous trees. Provide shade during the hottest portion of the day in hot summer climates and well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Easy and reliable once established. The flowers provide early spring nectar to butterflies and other pollinators. Blue Moon Phlox along with the straight species Phlox divaricata tied for the Top Performer in Mt. Cuba Center Phlox for Shade trials. Item# 11217

Light blue to blue-purple 1/4" wide nectar-rich flowers adorn the tall narrow indeterminate flower spikes from spring to frost to year round under warm tropical conditions. Native to Florida and much of the tropical Americas, Blue Porterweed, Stachytarpheta jamaicensis, has smoother lighter green foliage and generally grows wider than tall whereas the other Blue Porterweed, Stachytarpheta cayennensis or S. urticifolia, has more rugose or quilted deeper green glossier foliage with a typically upright habit. Porterweeds are excellent pollinator plants where they attract a continuous menagerie of aerial acrobats from spring until frost. This a heat and sunloving tropical to tender perennial that can be added to gardens and landscapes or plant them in containers to draw the pollinators in for upclose viewing. Blue Porterweed is also a caterpillar host plant for the Tropical Buckeye butterfly. Item# 12046

Blue, indigo, to purple 1/4" wide flowers adorn the long spike-like flowering stems from spring to frost and are held above the rich green glossy foliage. Blue Porterweed, Stachytarpheta cayennensis, is an intermediate growing Porterweed and has a fairly dense upright to spreading habit. An excellent choice for butterfly gardens or as a container plant. Also known as Blue Snakeweed, Verbena Azul, Cayenne Snakeweed. For the Florida native Blue Porterweed see Stachytarpheta jamaicensis. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, fertile soil. Item# 13080

Pale blue frilly 1 to 1-1/2" wide daisies with a nicely contrasting yellow center are produced beginning in late spring and through summer often continuing into fall atop a neat mound of deep green foliage. The Blue Star Japanese Aster is a tidy under-used clump-forming perennial selected for its exceptionally long flowering season that is sure to add delightful color to the garden and landscape but it also makes easy and exceptionally long-flower container specimens. The flowers are sure to attract a multitude of pollinators. Provide a full to mostly sunny site with a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Heat, sun, and humidity tolerant. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 11682

Masses of 1" wide blue to violet daisies with a yellow eye seemingly cover up this perennial in late summer and fall providing nectar for pollinators including bees and migrating Monarchs. Bluebird Smooth Blue Aster, a selection of Symphyotrichum laeve (previously Aster laevis), was the top-rated aster in trials at Mt. Cuba Center. It has a naturally upright to vase-shaped, clump-forming habit and grows to 3-4' at flowering but can be pinched in late spring or early summer to produce a fuller more compact plant. The Smooth Blue Aster is found throughout much of the US and into Canada. Provide a well-drained, average to semi-dry soil conditions in full sun to mostly sunny sites for optimum vigor and flowering, although it is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions. It is considered to be tolerant of part shade to light shade, but plants may require staking. Caterpillar host: Field Crescent, Pearl Crescent, Texan Crescent, Roadside Checkerspot, Hoffman's Checkerspot, and American Lady. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, all rights reserved. Item# 12247

The widely flaring deep blue-purple fan shaped flowers open from tubular buds, and are very reminiscent of Scaevola or Half-Flower, open singly and in clusters held at the growing tips as well as in the leaf axils attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The 5-lobed flowers of Blue-Lips, Sclerochiton harveyanus, are produced most heavily throughout the warmer months of the year. This is a shade tolerant naturally spreading to scandent (vine-like) evergreen tropical shrub with rounded, glossy deep green foliage. Blue-Lips is considered to be frost resistant but not freeze tolerant and it is easily maintained as a shrub form for containers, including hanging baskets, in and around larger growing shade-loving tropicals in the garden as well as on a shaded porch or patio. Provide it with an average moist, acidic to neutral, well-drained soil in a site that receives at least some cool morning sunlight or filtered sunlight for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12268

Spikes of 1/2" long, tubular, two-lipped, deep azure blue flowers have a contrasting bright white bee-guide and throat are produced in late spring or early summer and continue into fall atop the tall wispy stems. The nectar rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Bog Sage, Salvia uliginosa, is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial producing a multitude of tall thin wiry stems that can reach 5-6' high in rich fertile moist soils but tends to remain shorter, 3-4' high or so, under average moist garden conditions, which it can tolerate quite well, despite its name, once fully established. it tends to be more restrained under drier conditions as well. Its long flowering season and ease of care have garnered Bog Sage the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It can tolerate full sun in the cooler portions of its range but may be at its best where it receives a little midday shade in areas with hot summer climates. Item# 12906

The large, lightly fragrant flowers are composed of rusty red to near burgundy falls, standards, and style arms and are accented by large starkly contrasting mustard yellow signals. Boiled Crawfish Louisiana Iris is a compact, midseason flowering perennial growing to about 26-28" 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. A relatively new introduction, Boiled Crawfish was awarded an Honorable Mention in 2022. Item# 13428

Clusters of upward facing, soft lavender pink, nicely fragrant flowers are produced in loose clusters on 12-16" high stems in mid to late spring attracting mainly butterflies. Bonnie's Pink Prairie Phlox, a selection of Phlox pilosa and appears to match the description of ssp. ozarkana, is an evergreen to semi-evergreen, rhizomatous, native perennial adorned in narrow medium to dark green foliage. It makes a vigorous ground-cover once well-established and can be allowed to wend in and around larger shrubs and perennials. Provide an average moist, fertile, average to well-drained soil in a sunny garden or landscape. Item# 3062

Spikes of 1" long and nearly 1" wide, deep purplish red, two-lipped, tubular flowers are produced from spring to fall and attract a variety of pollinators including hummingbirds, medium to large butterflies, and larger bees. Boysenberry Jam Salvia, a Salvia x jamensis hybrid or Jame Sage, is adorned with large, rounded, fragrant, rich green foliage that immediately sets this Salvia apart from most similar cultivars and acts as a nice backdrop for the dark colored flowers. This cultivar appears to be brand new to horticulture in 2025 but we expect it to have a similar habit and hardiness as most other Jame Sages growing to about 18-24" high and 12-18" wide. Provide a well-draining, average moist, fertile soil in a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12475

Unusual fuchsia colored flowers with exerted purple stamens and pistil are produced throughout the year attracting hummingbirds along with occasional butterflies. Brazilian Candles, Pavonia multiflora, is an exceptionally free flowering, naturally evergreen tropical shrub with an upright to vase shaped growth habit and glossy dark green textured foliage. Provide a well-drained, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. This rare tropical shrub is sure to be a conversation piece! Item # 544

Clusters of sunny yellow orchid-like flowers are borne in summer and into fall to yearround under warm tropical conditions on this vigorous twining vine. The Brazilian Golden Orchid Vine, Stigmaphyllon ciliatum, is a naturally evergreen woody twining climbing with dark green arrowhead shaped foliage that has a heart-shaped, or cordate, leaf base and fine bristles along their edges as well as along the sepals. It is not quite as cold hardy as the Yellow Butterfly Vine, Mascagnia macroptera, with which it is easily confused but it has larger flowers. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Where not hardy it is easily overwintered indoors in a warm sunny location. Provide a well-drained, moderately fertile, acid soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 12001

Flattened round 1-1/2" wide clusters of tiny light lavender tubular disc flowers are held well above the 12" high rich green foliage beginning in mid to late spring and lasting well into summer. The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. Broadleaf Barbara's Buttons, Marshallia trinervia, is a rare low-growing rhizomatous native perennial that develops into a dense ground-covering mass of plants with an unaggressive nature. This easy to grow plant is more vigorous than its rarity might imply when given a moist to average moist, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Deciduous shade seems to be optimum providing full to mostly sunny conditions for the low rosettes of foliage in winter and light shade during the heat of the day in summer. With adequate moisture, it is reported to handle full sun to mostly sunny conditions even in summer, although, an eastern exposure with cool morning sunlight should be about perfect. Broadleaf Barbara's Buttons makes a wonderful low growing companion for Hydrangeas, larger Hostas, clump forming ferns, and other similar shade lovers. Item# 10767

The dark purplish-bronze, finely textured, licorice scented foliage makes a beautiful addition to the perennial border or the butterfly garden. Mix Bronze Fennel with yellow and chartreuse foliaged and flowering plants for a great combination. The foliage and stems are utilized by the Eastern Black Swallowtail, Baird's Swallowtail, and Anise Swallowtail as a caterpillar host plant. For optimum health and vigor plant Bronze Fennel in a full to mostly sunny site, in a well-drained, fertile soil. It can be grown as a reliable perennial in gardens and landscapes as well as in containers, either as a specimen plant or in mixed company. Item# 9121

A continuous display of brown-eyed golden-rayed daisy-like flowers are produced from early to midsummer into fall on well-branched plants with deep bronzy green hairy foliage. The Brown-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia triloba, is very similar in all regards to the wild forms of the Black-Eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta, and it begins flowering about the time that the latter species is finished for the year. This biennial to short-lived perennial is a heat tolerant, sun-loving, deer and rabbit resistant native well-suited to both the garden and landscape as well as in naturalistic settings like prairies, meadows, and roadside plantings. It readily reseeds on exposed soils but is not aggressive or difficult to control. It prefers a full to mostly sunny position in well-drained, average moist to semi-dry soils. The flowers of the Brown-Eyed Susan offer pollen and nectar to bees, smaller butterflies, and other garden beneficials. The seeds offer food for songbirds and small mammals. Item# 11980