If you’d like to invite some winged friends into your garden, then you’ll want to do your research ahead of time before you head down to the nursery. There are plenty of plants which are well-suited to bees, but do you know which flowers butterflies like? Before heading out to buy and plant the below suggestions in your butterfly garden, do a soil PH test and shade/sun test first. This will guarantee you’re planting the right blooms in the best spots for their unique requirements.
Heliotrope
Heliotrope is a small, perennial shrub-like plant that offers a vivid display of violet blooms. It offers a strong, sweet scent that is reminiscent of vanilla. This sweet scent, however, is the only sweet thing about it for humans and most animals, as it is highly toxic to ingest. Butterflies, however, love it. While it is well tolerant of dry climates, it will not do well if there is frost, or high humidity.
Lavender
A perennial favourite in gardens around the world, lavender is an excellent choice for gardeners. Its tall, fragrant spires of purple with tiny flowers have a decadent unique smell. It is drought-resistant which makes it ideal for drier climates, and it adapts well to most soil conditions. Deadhead the flowers regularly to keep your bushes blooming.
Phlox
This low-growing plant is one which will spread a blanket on the ground of beautiful blooms as it creeps outwards. It’s an easy-to-grow perennial which will put on a colourful display each year. Plant it in a well thought out location in your garden to ensure it doesn’t become a creeping nuisance. Apart from being beloved by butterflies, you may be surprised to see hummingbirds popping in to visit your garden just for Phlox.
Echinacea (Coneflower)
The blooms of Echinacea are also known as coneflowers due to their cone-like shape which proudly reaches for the sky. The central pollen mass looks quite like a person while petals below it seems as though the person is wearing a cloak. You’ll see butterflies flock to them annually. They tolerate varying climates well and will withstand both harsh winters, as well as drought-hit areas.
Hollyhocks
Originally hailing from Arabia, Hollyhocks became a English country garden staple, and for good reason. Their beautiful blooms which climb around the stem with a trumpet-like exterior attract a variety of winged insects to come and find repose with them for a while.
Bluestar
Aptly named for its star-shaped blue flowers, blue star is a perennial favourite well suited to be planted at the back of low-lying garden areas, to truly showcase their towering height when they take-off. They can look beautiful in a full clump together or can be spaced out provided they’re planted in loamy, well-draining soil. They prefer semi-shade but will tolerate more sun – though they may not flower as frequently.
Agapanthus
Known for the bell-shaped blossoms that huddle together on stems, Agapanthus are a great end of summer flower. They will provide plenty of nectar to see the butterflies through the final few weeks before autumn arrives. The flower heads tower over the foliage below them and make a great border option for gardens where you can relax and read or place wagers at Australian betting sites.
Aster
Aster, a herbaceous perennial, offers a firework display of colour as the plants around it are fading at the end of summer. You’re liable to find it in almost any colour and shade you could want as there are over 170 species. They like to bloom in late summer through to autumn and prefer a full sunny spot. Their cheerful, daisy-like countenance make them a good choice for those who like the cottage-garden style where they can spread out around trees or below hedges. Otherwise, confine them to a bed where their colours will have the most impact.
Always take the time to plan out the best layouts for your butterfly garden, or the area you hope to attract butterflies to. This will help you avoid misspending money on plants which won’t thrive where they are planted.