Plants that Attract Butterflies

Attract butterflies by planting pinks, purples, reds, yellows, and oranges. We’ll show you the best flower varieties to get your garden fluttering.

We all know that the butterfly bush, such as Ultra Violet™ Buddleia, is one of the best shrubs we can plant to attract butterflies to the garden. On a smaller scale, Pink Moody Blues™ Veronica produces similar flower spikes rich in nectar. A gold-toned swallowtail butterfly sipping nectar from agapanthus is picture-worthy. You’ll enjoy watching butterflies land on the bold blossoms of Little Blue Fountain™ Agapanthus. Also include flowering shrubs such as Confetti® Abelia and Little Bonnie™ Dwarf Spiraea to provide butterflies with shelter as well as nectar-rich blooms. Make sure these plants take well to their new home by with this guide. Take a closer look at these butterfly-attracting blooms to turn your garden into a magical butterfly oasis like this hidden cottage garden.

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Rainbow Sensation™ Weigela

This beauty will provide a rainbow of color from spring to fall. It features attractive, variegated foliage with dense clusters of soft pink, funnel-shaped flowers that will bloom in profusion in May.

USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Learn more about Rainbow Sensation™ Weigela

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‘Princess Dark Lavender’ Verbena

This stunner blooms from spring until fall. Pale purple flowers form crowns around deep green foliage. The best part? They’re disease and pest resistant and drought-tolerant.

USDA Zones: 8, 9, 10, 11
Exposure: Full sun

Learn more about ‘Princess Dark Lavender’ Verbena

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Stars and Stripes Pentas™

Bounds of scarlet flower clusters with pink centers are a butterfly paradise. Lush dark green and white variegated foliage will provide a hearty addition to your garden. Grows 12-24" high with a clumping habit.

USDA Zones: 9, 10, 11
Exposure: Full sun

Learn more about Stars and Stripes Pentas™

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‘Real Charmer’ Leucanthemum

Real Charmer is a summer-blooming perennial with large cream to lemon decorative blooms with fancy fringed deep golden central petals. This variety will provide plentiful blooms with improved disease resistance. It prefers well-drained soil in the sunny border.

USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Full sun

Learn more about 'Real Charmer' Leucanthemum

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Ultra Violet™ Buddleia

This buddleia grows compactly into an attractive rounded shape, unlike other butterfly bushes that often become tall and lanky. Its violet blooms are a beacon for butterflies and honeybees and will rebloom from late spring into fall.

USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Full sun

Learn more about Ultra Violet™ Buddleia

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Pink Moody Blues™ Veronica

This compact bush is covered in pink spikes of blooms all season long. It will flower up to the first frost and is drought-tolerant.

USDA Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Full sun

Learn more about Pink Moody Blues™ Veronica

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Little Blue Fountain™ Agapanthus

With its deep blue coloring and dwarf size, Blue Fountain is perfect for patio containers and useful as a cut flower. As with other agapanthus this one tolerates near coastal conditions, frost and neglect. If you live close to the coast you’ll likely see even more plentiful blooms.

USDA Zones: 8, 9, 10
Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Learn more about Little Blue Fountain™ Agapanthus

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Confetti® Abelia

This compact, rounded shrub is a winner for borders. It features pink, white, and green variegated foliage that will provide year-round color.

USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Learn more about Confetti® Abelia

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Little Bonnie™ Dwarf Spiraea

Expect profuse lavender-pink spring blooms along with sporadic blooms throughout summer. It’s heat tolerant and will attract both birds and butterflies.

USDA Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Learn more about Little Bonnie™ Dwarf Spiraea

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Bells of Fire Tecoma™

This evergreen mid-sized shrub with a subtropical to tropical appearance and bell-shaped flowers will bloom continuously until frost. Use it as a border, in a container, as an accent, or in mass for a colorful punch.

USDA Zones: 8, 9, 10, 11
Exposure: Full sun

Learn more about Bells of Fire Tecoma™

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