Butterfly Bliss – The Top 24 Flowers And Shrubs For Attracting Butterflies!
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Butterflies are disappearing at an alarming rate – with some populations plummeting by 80% in recent decades! The good news? You can turn your backyard into a life-saving kaleidoscope of fluttering wings by planting these gorgeous flowers that attract butterflies. You can help restore these essential pollinators to our ecosystem by growing the plants, shrubs, and flowers they adore.
So – roll up your sleeves and grab your trowel.
Let’s plant some butterfly flowers!
24 Best Butterfly Flowers, Plants, And Shrubs
Let’s explore our 24 favorite butterfly flowers that will transform your backyard garden into an epic pollinator paradise – with spectacular color, texture, and fragrance!
1. Summersweet
This fragrant native shrub produces bottle-brush-like flowers that butterflies can’t resist. The sweet vanilla scent will have you lingering in the garden, and its ability to thrive in part shade makes it perfect for those tricky spots where other butterfly plants struggle.
- Plant Size: Typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide.
- Attracts: Butterflies, hummingbirds, native bees, and other pollinators.
- USDA Grow Zones: Hardy in zones 4 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Mid to late summer.
The glossy foliage turns a beautiful golden-yellow in fall. The enhanced autumn foliage extends its garden appeal beyond the fragrant summer bloom season.
2. Blazing Star
Talk about a butterfly magnet! These tall purple spikes create a vertical element in your garden while monarchs and swallowtails duke it out for feeding positions. They’re drought-tolerant once established, making them perfect for busy homesteaders who can’t always keep up with watering.
- Plant Size: Typically grows 2 to 4 feet tall and roughly 1 or 2 feet wide.
- Attracts: Monarchs, tiger swallowtails, silver-spotted skippers, red admirals, painted ladies, cloudless sulphurs, and hummingbirds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Hardy in zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Mid to late summer.
The seedheads provide crucial winter food for goldfinches and other small birds. Watch with delight as they perform acrobatic feats to pluck the tiny seeds!
3. Butterfly Bush
The name doesn’t lie. Butterfly bush is a fast-growing shrub that makes a butterfly paradise with honey-scented cone-shaped flower clusters. Remember to choose a non-invasive variety and give it a hard pruning in early spring to keep it manageable and blooming like crazy.
- Plant Size: Ranges from 5 to 10 feet tall and wide.
- Attracts: Numerous butterfly species, including monarchs and swallowtails. Also, bees and hummingbirds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Typically zones 5 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall.
Cut branches can be brought indoors for fantastic fragrant bouquets. But be wary of curious butterflies who might try venturing inside to investigate! (Lol.)
Read More – The 21 Best Flowers And Plants To Attract Bumblebees, Honey Bees, And Solitary Bees!
4. Stonecrop
These succulents are the unsung heroes of the butterfly garden that offer late-season nectar when other plants have called it quits. Their fleshy leaves and star-shaped flower clusters require practically zero maintenance. They’re perfect for gardeners who want beauty without babysitting.
- Plant Size: Varies by species. Low-growing varieties are 2 to 6 inches tall, while upright varieties can reach up to 2 feet tall.
- Attracts: Butterflies and bees.
- USDA Grow Zones: Generally hardy in zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Late summer to fall.
The fleshy leaves store water like natural rain barrels – so these plants sail through drought periods when other garden plants are wilting.
5. Zinnia
Zinnia is like the workhorse of butterfly gardens! These annual flowers keep pumping out blooms from summer until frost without deadheading. Their big seeds are easy to plant – and you’ll love how butterflies flock to the flower’s flat landing pad. They also bloom in nearly every rainbow color.
- Plant Size: Roughly 1 to 3 feet tall. The spread varies by variety.
- Attracts: Butterflies like monarchs, swallowtails, and painted ladies. Also, bees and other pollinators.
- USDA Grow Zones: Annual in most zones. Thrives in zones 3 through 10.
- Bloom Time: Summer to frost.
Save the seeds from your favorite colors to plant next year. They’re among the easiest flowers from which to collect seeds.
6. Coreopsis
These cheerful daisy-like flowers bloom their hearts out with practically zero effort on your part. The fine-textured foliage stays tidy while butterflies visit the golden blooms. Newer varieties offer sunset colors that keep flowering without deadheading.
- Plant Size: Varies by species. Typically 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.
- Attracts: Butterflies and bees.
- USDA Grow Zones: Perennial in zones 3 through 8. Some varieties are annual.
- Bloom Time: Early summer to fall.
Coreopsis is also perfect for homemade crafts! You can use various Coreopsis species to create beautiful natural dyes in multiple colors, from vibrant reds and yellows to earthy browns.
Read More – 17 Easiest Vegetable Crops To Grow In Your Backyard Garden!
7. Verbena
Verbena is as tough as nails and beautiful. Its flat flower clusters serve up nectar on a platter for butterflies. The spreading varieties work beautifully in containers or as ground covers – and taller types add height without taking up much precious garden space.
- Plant Size: Typically 5 to 6 feet tall. Spread of 1 to 1.5 feet. (Some varieties are shorter.)
- Attracts: Swallowtails, fritillaries, hairstreaks, sulphurs, checkerspots, and other butterflies.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 7 through 11. Often grown as an annual in chillier growing zones.
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall.
Verbena flowers contain natural compounds that can help repel mosquitoes – which helps make your butterfly garden more pleasant for human visitors.
8. Joe-Pye Weed
Despite its unfortunate name, this native plant deserves prime real estate in your butterfly garden. The mauve flower heads are massive and can reach dinner-plate size! Its generous shape offers a butterfly feast station with a wild, meadowy vibe for your garden’s backdrop.
- Plant Size: Typically 4 to 7 feet tall. The spread is 3 to 4 feet wide.
- Attracts: Monarchs, tiger swallowtails, fritillaries, red admirals, and other butterfly species. It also attracts bees and hummingbirds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall.
Legend has it that a Native American healer, Joe Pye, used this epic plant to treat typhus fever in colonial times, hence its unusual name.
9. Milkweed
Milkweed isn’t just another pretty face. It’s a critical habitat for monarch caterpillars who munch the leaves while butterflies sip from the intricate flowers. The seed pods create tremendous winter interest, and native varieties adapt to your local conditions without fuss.
- Plant Size: Varies by species. Common milkweed grows to around 3, 4, or even 5 feet tall.
- Attracts: Essential host plant for monarch butterflies. It also attracts other butterflies and pollinators.
- USDA Grow Zones: Generally zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: June to August.
Milkweed is likely most famous for being the sole food source of monarch caterpillars. Plant some to support these excellent pollinators during all stages of their lifecycle!
Read More – How To Grow Beautiful And Colorful California Poppy Flowers!
10. Black-Eyed Susan
Black-Eyed Susans are the golden retrievers of the butterfly garden. They’re friendly and reliable – and everybody loves them. Butterflies especially flock to the daisy-like blooms, and you’ll appreciate how they cheerfully multiply each year without becoming garden bullies.
- Plant Size: Roughly 2 to 3 feet tall. Spread of 1.5 to 2 feet.
- Attracts: Butterflies, pollinators, and songbirds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall.
These native wildflowers can live for several years and will generously self-seed – creating natural drifts that mimic how they grow in meadows.
11. Spicebush
This native shrub pulls double duty by hosting swallowtail butterfly caterpillars and feeding adult butterflies with its early spring blooms. Crush a leaf to release its spicy scent, and enjoy the butter-yellow fall color that lights up shady garden corners.
- Plant Size: Typically grows 6 to 12 feet tall and wide. It can reach up to 15 feet in optimal conditions.
- Attracts: Host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly – especially the young caterpillars. Attracts other butterflies, bees, and birds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 4 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Early spring.
Spicebush twigs can be snapped and brewed into a spicy, peppery tea, perfect for drinking hot or cold.
12. Phlox
These old-fashioned favorites produce sweetly fragrant flower clusters that butterflies find irresistible. The tall garden varieties create a cottage garden feel, while the low-growing types make fabulous ground covers that suppress weeds while feeding pollinators.
- Plant Size: Typically 2 to 4 feet tall. Spread of about 2 feet.
- Attracts: Late-season butterflies, moths, and other tiny pollinators.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 4 through 8.
- Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall, depending on the variety.
Hummingbird moths love phlox flowers! They are fascinating dusk visitors who hover like miniature hummingbirds.
Read More – 21 Best Herbs For Growing In Your Backyard Garden!
13. Shasta Daisy
Classic white daisies with sunny centers offer the perfect landing platform for butterflies to rest while sipping nectar. They bloom for weeks, ask little in return, and make cheerful-cut flowers that last forever in a mason jar on your kitchen table.
- Plant Size: Typically grows 2 or 3 feet tall and roughly 1 or 2 feet wide.
- Attracts: Butterflies and other pollinators.
- USDA Grow Zones: Hardy in zones 5 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Summer to early fall.
These flowers close at night and during rainy weather, seeming to predict weather changes before your local meteorologist can.
14. Pentas
These tropical beauties produce star-shaped flowers in clusters that scream, “Butterfly buffet now open!” They bloom non-stop all summer long without deadheading. Their compact habit makes them perfect for containers near seating areas where you can watch the butterfly show.
- Plant Size: Grows 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.
- Attracts: Butterflies, especially swallowtails, and hummingbirds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 10 through 11. Grown annually in cooler climates.
- Bloom Time: Spring through fall. Year-round in frost-free areas.
The star-shaped flowers earned them the nickname “Egyptian Star Cluster.” They’re considered good luck plants in some cultures.
15. Lavender
Beyond its legendary fragrance and culinary uses, lavender’s purple flower spikes are butterfly candy. Plant it along pathways where you’ll brush against it and release that calming scent. Also – give it the excellent drainage it demands, and it will reward you with years of colorful beauty.
- Plant Size: Typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, depending on the variety.
- Attracts: Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
- USDA Grow Zones: Generally hardy in zones 5 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer.
Tuck a small sachet of dried lavender flowers in an open jar in your bedroom to promote restful sleep and sweet dreams of butterfly gardens.
Read More – The 21 Best Privacy Plants For Growing A Living Hedge!
16. Goldenrod
Unfairly blamed for hay fever (that’s ragweed’s fault), Goldenrod’s late-season yellow flowers are crucial fuel for migrating monarchs. The native varieties play nicely with neighbors and provide essential late-season nectar when butterflies need it most.
- Plant Size: Typically 2 to 5 feet tall. Spread of about 2 feet.
- Attracts: Migrating butterflies and bees.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 2 through 8.
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall.
Its pollen is too heavy to be carried by wind (making it innocent of causing allergies) and is an essential source of protein for beneficial insects preparing for winter.
17. Butterfly Weed
This milkweed relative produces electric orange flower clusters that stop humans and butterflies in their tracks. Its deep taproot makes it drought-proof once established, and the seed pods create fascinating fall interest if you can resist deadheading.
- Plant Size: Typically grows 1 to 2 feet tall and about 1 to 1.5 feet wide.
- Attracts: Monarchs, swallowtails, and other butterflies, bees.
- USDA Grow Zones: Hardy in zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer.
Old-school homesteaders also used butterfly weed fibers from the stems to make rope, fishing lines, and bowstrings.
18. Aster
These daisy-like purple, pink, and blue flowers feed late-season butterflies when they desperately need energy. Plant them near Goldenrod for a stunning color combination that makes a natural butterfly rest stop.
- Plant Size: Roughly 1 or 3 feet tall. Spread of 2 to 3 feet.
- Attracts: Many pollinators, including long-tongued bees, short-tongued bees, small and medium-sized butterflies, and skipper butterflies.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 3 through 8.
- Bloom Time: Fall.
The name comes from the Greek word for “star” – referring to the dazzling, star-like shape of the flowers.
Read More – How To Grow Delicious And Epic Jerusalem Artichokes From Tubers!
19. Salvia (Sage)
These gorgeous sage plants offer nectar-rich tubular flowers that butterflies can’t resist. Their aromatic foliage naturally repels garden pests, and most varieties keep blooming through heat and drought when other flowers have thrown in the towel.
- Plant Size: Roughly 2 or 3 feet tall. Spreads 1 to 2 feet.
- Attracts: Butterflies and hummingbirds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 8 through 11. You can also grow it annually in chilly grow zones.
- Bloom Time: Spring through summer.
Sage is another beautiful backyard tea plant perfect for enjoying after a hard day of foraging. Perhaps that’s why butterflies never forget to visit them.
20. Coneflower
Coneflowers are excellent prairie natives with distinctive raised centers surrounded by petals that droop just enough to give them character. Butterflies love the nectar. And finches feast on the seeds if you leave the spent flowers. Like many other butterfly plants on our list – it also makes a delicious homebrewed tea.
- Plant Size: Typically 2 to 4 feet tall. About 1.5 to 2 feet wide.
- Attracts: Butterflies such as monarchs and fritillaries. Also, bees and other pollinators.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall.
The distinctive seed heads resemble porcupine quills that provide architectural interest in winter and serve as natural bird feeders.
21. Anise Hyssop
Crush a leaf and enjoy the licorice scent while watching butterflies swarm the purple flower spikes. These carefree native blooms spread around the garden easily, and they’re great for propagating new plants you can share with neighbors who’ll soon convert their yards to butterfly havens.
- Plant Size: Grows 3 to 5 feet tall. Spreads approximately 1.5 to 2 feet wide.
- Attracts: Monarchs, swallowtails, skippers, hummingbirds, and various bees.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 4 through 8.
- Bloom Time: Mid-summer to early fall.
Bakers can infuse honey with anise hyssop flowers for a delicate licorice flavor that makes a unique cornbread or vanilla ice cream drizzle.
Read More – The 21 Best Flowers For Epic Spring And Summer Blooms!
22. Lantana
These heat-loving plants produce multicolored flower clusters that change like mood rings as they age. Butterflies adore them, deer leave them alone, and they’ll bloom until frost without asking for more than an occasional drink during dry spells.
- Plant Size: Typically 3 or 4 feet tall. Spread of 1 to 3 feet.
- Attracts: Butterflies and hummingbirds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Top growth hardy in zones 10 through 11. Roots hardy in zone 9.
- Bloom Time: July to frost
The tiny berries that follow the flowers turn green to bluish-black, providing important food for mockingbirds, catbirds, and thrashers.
23. Bee Balm
This mint family member sports wild-looking whorls of tubular flowers that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bumblebees to your garden party. The aromatic leaves make fabulous tea, and native varieties resist the powdery mildew that troubles some showier hybrids.
- Plant Size: Ranges from 2 to 4 feet tall. Spread of 2 to 3 feet.
- Attracts: Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Summer to fall.
Various bees join butterflies for prime feeding spots on bee balm flowers – including bumblebees, honeybees, native bees, solitary bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, sweat bees, and carpenter bees.
24. Yarrow
The flat-topped flower clusters of yarrow provide perfect butterfly landing pads, while the ferny foliage adds texture to your garden. Give this cold-hardy herb full sun and well-drained soil, then stand back and watch it thrive through drought, poor soil, and neglect while attracting butterflies by the dozen.
- Plant Size: Typically grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide.
- Attracts: Butterflies such as painted ladies and skippers. It also attracts bees and other pollinators.
- USDA Grow Zones: Zones 3 through 9.
- Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall.
You can add yarrow leaves to homemade salads, soups, and teas – and the flowers work as a garnish. However, yarrow also has a bitter flavor. So – not everyone is a fan! (But butterflies are. For sure.)
Read More – 21 Ways To Create A Backyard Wildlife Garden During The Fall Season!
Conclusion
Your patch of earth can become butterfly-central with these powerhouse plants. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re apartment homesteading or living in a sprawling farm. As you watch swallowtails and monarchs dance among your blooms, remember you’re not just growing plants. You’re helping these beautiful creatures survive. So – go forth proudly and plant butterfly paradise!
What about you?
- Have you noticed fewer butterflies in your garden this year?
- What about bees, hummingbirds, moths, and other pollinators?
- Will you plant some native shrubs to help feed butterflies?
Thanks for reading.
Have a great day!
