Butterfly Nectar Sources

Large, flat displays of rich yellow flowers are born over an exteded period in summer that lasts until early fall. Flat-Top or Shiny Goldenrod provides a perfect landing platform for pollinators while they enjoy its rich nectar and pollen. Unlike many of the Goldenrods this is a true clump forming perennial that stays where you put it. It gets the name Shiny Goldenrod from its shiny foliage. Item# 10683.

Up to 1" wide, light purple to blue, yellow-eyed daisies are borne in small clusters and singly atop a dense mound of bristly arching stems over an extended period in late summer and fall attracting a variety of smaller pollinators, especially bees. The Flax-Leaf Ankle-Aster, Ionactis lineariifolia but potentially I. repens (see additional notes on this plant's full product page), is a clump forming, herbaceous, native perennial that grows from a woody base producing a multitude of small wiry stems that are adorned with very narrow, stiff, fine, gray-green foliage. The plants naturally form a fairly dense rounded and spreading mound of stems to about 12-18" high and 16-24" wide. Locally, we normally find this plant on deep, dryish, poor sandy or loamy soils. This unusual Aster is native to much of the central and eastern US. It is a tough, deer and drought resistant, native perennial that is suitable for the perennial garden, rock gardens, and xeriscaping as well as for naturalistic areas like meadows and roadsides. The plants are moderately shade tolerant, but may flower best where they receive 4-6 hours or more of direct sunlight. Provide the Flax-Leaf Ankle-Aster with a sharply draining sandy, loamy, or rocky soil and average moisture during initial establishment. Item# 10692

Fragrant, flattened clusters of fuzzy white, nectar rich flowers are produced in late summer and fall just as the Monarch butterflies are migrating southward and attracting a variety of late season pollinators like bees, butterflies, flower flies, and hummingbirds. The Fragrant White Mistflower, Ageratina havanensis, is a small to medium-sized, native, rounded shrub to shrub-like perennial cloaked in very dark green, semi-glossy, evergreen to semi-deciduous foliage and growing to 3-6' high and wide. This tough hombre is a native of the Edwards Plateau and is moderately drought resistant once well-estalblished. It is reported to flower best after a hard late winter or early spring pruning that promotes new growth and will also help to keep the plants more compact. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in an average moist to dryish, well-drained, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 11358

The bright yellow and green variegated foliage of this dwarf variegated Glossy Abelia is a standout in the garden, landscape, and even as a container plant where its sunny foliage contrasts nicely with surrounding perennials and shrubs. The new growth of Francis Mason Abelia emerges an orange to coppery color and matures to a sunny yellow to gold and green. Francis Mason is a naturally dwarf to semi-dwarf, semi-evergreen to deciduous, naturally rounded shrub selected for its boldly variegated foliage and its clusters of large white tinged pink, lightly fragrant, funnel shaped flowers that begin appearing in late spring or early summer and continue into fall on new growth. The nectar rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Provide a full to mostly sunny site for optimum vigor and the brightest foliage color. Tough, pest and disease resistant, easy and reliable. Item# 12052

The upright, drum-shaped flower heads are composed of tiny, nectar rich, white to light purple flowers that are produced from spring until frost attracting a variety of smaller pollinators. Frog Fruit-LA, a Louisiana selection of Phyla nodiflora, is a stoloniferous, mat-forming, evergreen to deciduous, native perennial groundcover adorned in deep green, narrow foliage. It seems to thrive in moist sites but is moderately tolerant to short-term drought once well-established. Frog Fruit has become one of the top recommendations for a lawn replacement due to its naturally low, dense growing habit reaching about 2-4" high and up to 6" high at flowering. A food source for the Common Buckeye, Phaon Crescent, and White Peacock butterfly caterpillars as well as a nectar source for a host of pollinators. Provide a moist to average moist site in sunny sites and plants are adaptable to soil types. Item# 12521

A low growing member of the Verbena family, Frogfruit makes a beautiful, easy groundcover that is covered by tiny heads of dainty, nectar filled white flowers from late spring to fall. They enjoy moist soils but are moderately drought resistant once well established. A food source for the Common Buckeye, Phaon Crescent, and White Peacock butterfly caterpillars as well as a nectar source for a host of pollinators. This species, Phyla nodiflora var. nodiflora, is native to every continent except Antarctica. It is important not to mow/prune until flowering is complete. Frogfruit is being more widely used as a lawn grass replacement option. Note: This selection is from central Florida and has more rounded foliage than what we have normally offered and is shown in the main image. Item# 10524

The red to pinkish-red and white tubular flowers emerge from between the spikes of chartreuse bracts from spring to fall to year-round under warm tropical conditiosn. The Fruit Cocktail Shrimp Plant, one the newest selections of Justicia brandegeeana, has a naturally more compact, better branching habit than the typical Red Shrimp Plant but in all other regards it is nearly identical. It is quite tolerant of light conditions ranging from full sun to light shade but may have the densest habit in sunnier conditions. The flowers attract hummingbirds, larger butterflies, and other pollinators. Use Shrimp Plants to add color in containers, as a specimen plant or in mixed container gardens, as well as in the garden and landscape. Provide an average to well-drained, moderately fertile, average moist soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Caterpillar host: Cuban Crescent, Texan Crescent, White Peacock, and Malachite. Item# 12724

Glowing intense red, 1" long two-lipped tubular flowers are borne along short spikes from summer to frost on this vigorous selection of the drought tolerant Autumn Sage. A 'must have' for the Hummingbird lover! Furman's Red Autumn Sage is an older selection that has proven to be one of the hardiest and most freely flowering of the compact red flowered Autumn Sages and has been deemed a reliable perennial well into zone 5B and 6. A 2005 Plant Select® Award winner. Provide a full to mostly sunny site with very good to excellent drainage for optimum health and flowering. Drought resistant once fully established, deer resistant and this tough little Salvia makes an easy and rewarding low water container specimen as well as a colorful addition to the garden and landscape. Item# 10518

1 of only 5 Monardas to be selected as an RHS Award of Garden Merit winner, 1 of the top 10 in Mt. Cuba Center's 2014-2016 Monarda trials, and in the top 10 in trials at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in 1998! The extra large, 3-4" wide, clusters of 2" long, deep red tubular flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in late spring to midsummer, depending on your zone. Earlier in warmer climates and later in colder climates. Gardenview Scarlet Monarda or Beebalm, a hybrid selection of native US species, it is similar in many regards to Jacob Cline, still one of the most popular red cultivars, but has improved resistance to powdery mildew and a slightly more compact habit topping out at 3' high. This is a clump-forming, slowly spreading perennial  that enjoys ample sunlight in a moist but well-drained, fertile soil. Sure to be a hummingbird magnet! Item# 12818

Large branching, loose flower spikes to 16" high are composed of blue to purple, up to 2" long, hooded, two-lipped, tubular, lightly fragrant flowers that attract a variety of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It may be in flower at anytime of year but may be heaviest in spring and fall. Giant Blue African Salvia, Brillantasia nitens, is an unusual, large and vigorous, naturally evergreen, herbaceous tropical adorned in large, medium green, textured, tropical foliage on square stems and can grow to 6-9' high and potentially to 15' and tree-like under warm tropical conditions. Provide a full sun to part sun site, in an average moist to moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 10703

The large 1-1/2" long tubular color-changing flowers are produced in spike-like clusters from the leaf axils and start out yellow and fade through orange into red tones and are held on 3-4'H sturdy stems. The flowers are produced during the spring, where plants are not frozen to the ground, and/or in fall just in time for migrating hummingbirds. The Giant Cigar Plant, Cuphea micropetala, is a herbaceous, slowly spreading, upright to branching perennial cloaked in dark green glossy foliage. Considered by many to be the most reliably cold hardy Cuphea species surviving into zone 7B if provided a breathable winter mulch. It typically spreads stoloniferously and via rhizomes but is not considered invasive or aggressive. As with basically all Cupheas, the Giant Cigar is heat and sunloving and will benefit from average moisture, in fertile soils with average or better drainage. Where not hardy it can easily be maintained as a medium to medium-large container plant. Item# 429

Large clusters of frilly, deep purple flowers are produced atop tall sturdy stems beginning in about midsummer and potentially continuing into fall attracting a wide variety of pollinators and garden beneficials, especially bees. Giant Ironweed, Vernonia gigantea, is a vigorous single to multi-stemmed, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with deep green foliage adorning the tall stems that can reach 10' high by flowering time. This species is found throughout much of the eastern and central US. Giant Ironweed is typically found in areas where it has consistent moisture like along stream banks and flood plains but it does just fine in average garden soils once well-established. It is known to readily reseed on exposed soils and deadheading once flowering is complete can help to minimize that and may also promote repeat flowering. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in wet, moist, to average moist soils for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 9257

Clusters of white to lilac, up to 1" wide, star-shaped, lightly fragrant flowers are produced nearly continuously throughout the warmer months of the year. The large velvety, white to gray green, large rounded tropical foliage of the Giant Milkweed make excellent fodder for Monarch caterpillars and one leaf can provide a substantial amount of food. A large growing shrub in tropical climates where it can be trained into a tree form, grown as a shrub, or hedge. The Giant Milkweed can easily be maintained as a large container plant. Item# 11038

The largest of the Turkscaps producing up to 3" long, pendant, sleepy-hibiscus-like, deep red flowers singly and in clusters and are produced beginning in late summer and continuing through spring in warm winter climates attracting a variety of larger butterflies, hummingbirds, and larger bees. The Giant Red Turk's Cap, Malvaviscus penduliflorus, is a moderately vigorous, naturally evergreen, large, tropical shrub and may grow to 8-12' high in warm winter climates, but acts like a root hardy, die-back perennial where freezes occur, typically reaching to 3-5' by the end of the growing season. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in an average moist, fertile soil with average or better drainage. Few winter flowering tropicals can compete with the enormous amount of flowers that this plant can produce. Item# 9993

A nearly continuous display of dark-eyed 3-4" wide dark golden yellow daisies are held above the rosettes of deep green foliage throughout summer attracting bees and a variety of other garden beneficials. Glitters Like Gold Black-Eyed Susan is a hybrid Rudbeckia boasting improved vigor, longer flowering, and resistance to leaf spot as compared to the longtime favorite Goldstrum. This easy sunloving clump-forming perennial grows to 30-36"H x 18"W and the ripened seedheads provide fodder for songbirds in fall and winter. Provide a full to mostly sunny site in average to well-drained soils with average moisture and fertility. Item# 12284

The clusters of purple to purplish-pink 3" wide trumpet shaped flowers with a nicely contrasting white ring surrounding the yellow throats that are lined with fine magenta lines that guide large bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the nectar and pollen reward inside. The Glowvine, Bignonia magnifica, is a highly desireable, exceptionally free flowering, naturally evergreen tropical vine with unusual pairs of oval leaflets that are centered by its grasping tendrils. Once mature, these easy to grow vigorous vines can flower continuously throughout the year under warm tropical conditions. The Glowvine (a.k.a. Glow Vine) can be trained as a shrub and overwintered indoors with regular pruning or allow it to cover fences, trellises, and arbors in tropical regions. Item# 12033

You can grow this award winning Bluebeard for its foliage alone! The new bright yellow spring foliage retains its color throughout the growing season even in the hot and humid south. In late summer and fall, dense whorled clusters of deep violet-blue, nectar rich, tubular flowers are held above and among the wonderfully contrasting foliage. Gold Crest Bluebeard, a Caryopteris hybrid, was selected for its heat tolerant brilliant foliage, for its dense compact habit, and its pollinator attracting flowers. In zone 6 Bluebeard tends to act more like a clump forming die-back perennial and becomes more shrub-like where winters are milder, although, it benefits from a hard late winter or early spring pruning since it flowers on new growth. Somewhat drought resistant once well-established and prefers a sunny site in a well-drained soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Won Best Pollinator Friendly Perennial for the Southeast in 2019 at the UGA Trial Gardens and was rated above a 4.5 out 5 at both Penn State(2021) and Mississippi State(2020) trial gardens as 2nd year perennials! Images courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 12506

Flat topped clusters composed of numerous tiny, golden yellow flowers atop sturdy stems in mid to late spring to summer attracting a host of smaller pollinators. Golden Alexanders, Zizea aurea, is a native, clump forming, herbaceous perennial with deep green foliage growing to about 2-3' high. The deep green, glossy, lobed foliage is utilized by the Eastern Black and Ozark Swallowtail caterpillars and the ripened seed heads are utilized by songbirds. It is native throughout much of the central and eastern US in moist woodlands, roadsides, meadows, and prairies. Provide a full sun to partially shaded site in a moist to average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. Item# 11774

3" wide golden yellow trumpet shaped flowers are held against a foil of glossy, deep green foliage are produced from spring to fall to potentially year-round on mature plants attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. The Golden Butterfly Allamanda, a selection of Allamanda cathartica, is a compact form of this naturally evergreen, tropical, scandent shrub growing to 2-3' high and wide making it the perfect choice for a tropical specimen container plant and can also be enjoyed in hanging baskets and sunny window boxes. The key to success with Allandas is an average moist, fertile, well-draining soil, that should be allowed to become semi-dry between waterings, and a warm to hot, full sun to part sun site. Item# 12782

Dense pyramidal shaped clusters composed of hundreds of small bright golden yellow flowers are produced atop short sturdy 18-24" high stems in mid to late summer well into fall attracting a variety of pollinators. Golden Fleece Autumn or Heart-Leaved Goldenrod, a selection of Solidago sphacelata, is a compact rhizomatous perennial adorned with heart-shaped foliage that makes an easy and informal groundcover eventually spreading to about 30" wide in 3-5 years. Discovered as a chance seedling in an Eden, North Carolina garden and introduced by Richard Lighty of  Mt. Cuba Center in 1985. It won the 1994 Internationale Stauden-Union’s Award for an outstanding new plant in Switzerland. Golden Fleece was also one of the few 4 out of 4-star rated cultivars in the 2000 Chicago Botanic Gardens trials and proved to have excellent resistance to both rust and powdery mildew. Provide a full sun to partly shaded site in an average moist to dryish, average to well-drained, fertile soil. Images courtesy of North Creek Nurseries, Inc., all rights reserved. Item# 13180

The dark colored spikes and calyxes are adorned with 1" long, deep magenta-purple, two-lipped tubular flowers that are set against a backdrop of contrasting golden to chartreuse spring foliage. The brightly colored, nectar rich flowers are sure to draw hummingbirds as well as bees and the occassional butterfly. Golden Rosiene Salvia or Jame Sage, a hybrid selection grouped with Salvia x jamensis but with quilted foliage similar to Littleleaf Sage, is a compact perennial Salvia growing to about 12-16" high and with unique yellow and chartreuse, quilted, fragrant foliage that may deepen into green tones as summer arrives. The fragrant foliage may be evergreen in mild winter climates and plants are reported to be hardy into zone 7. Provide this tough perennial Salvia with a well-drained, fertile soil with average moisture, although, fully established plants are somewhat drought resistant the plants will flower best where they have at least some moisture available during the growing season. New to the US for 2025! Image courtesy of Jadelty Nursery, all rights reserved. Item# 13505