Annuals That Attract Butterflies
It is possible to grow nectar flowers for butterflies in anything from window boxes to wild- flower meadows. Nectar-rich wildflowers include asters, bleeding heart, milkweed, columbine, goldenrod, Indian paintbrush, iris, larkspur, lupine, nettle, sedum, thistle, and yarrow. Listed below are some of the non-native annuals that will also supply nectar for the butterflies. Also, check the tree, shrub, and herbaceous perennial chapters for other plants that will attract these lovely insects.
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
| Dahlia | (Dahlia spp.) |
| Snapdragon | (Antirrhinum majus) |
| Pinks | (Dianthus spp.) |
| Globe thistle | (Echinops exaltatus) |
| Busy Lizzie | (Impatiens wallerana) |
| Statice | (Limonium spp.) |
| Money plant | (biennial)(Lunaria annua) |
| Marigold | (Tagetes spp.) |
| Cosmos | (Cosmos bipinnatus) |
| Bachelor's button | (Centaurea cyanus) |
| Sweet William | (Dianthus barbatus) |
| Heliotrope | (HeliotroPium arborescens) |
| Sweet pea | (Lathyrus odoratus) |
| Sweet alyssum | (Lobularia maritima) |
| Geranium | (Pelargonium spp.) |
| Zinnia | (Zinnia spp.) |
Remember too that the offspring of the butterfly must have something to feed upon as well. Here are some annuals that will host the caterpillars.
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
| Hollyhock | (Alcea rosea)(biennial) |
| Sunflower | (Heliamhus annuus) |
| Lupine | (Lupinus hartwegii) |
| Snapdragon | (Antirrhinum majus) |
| Annual mallow | (Lavatera trimestris) |
| Nasturtium | (Tropaeolum majus) |
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