Top Wildlife Plants and Amenities from Buena Creek Gardens

The Brighams' nursery in San Marcos, California, showcases the best plants for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, plus essential amenities to keep them coming back.

Top Hummingbird Plants

• Alstroemeria hybrids – Evergreen perennials; pink, purple, orange, or white flowers spring and summer.
• Bottlebrush (Callistemon) – Large shrub/small tree; red flowers spring and summer.
• Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos) – Perennial; red, yellow, or green flowers spring through fall.
• Nicotiana – Perennials grown as annuals; white, pink, red tubular flowers summer and early fall.
• Penstemon – Perennials; reds and blues predominate; spring and summer bloom.
• Salvia – Perennials and shrubs; blues, reds, and many colors spring through fall.

Top Butterfly Plants

• Butterfly bush (Buddleja) – Shrub; purple flowers peaking in summer.
• Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – Perennial; orange or yellow summer clusters.
• Lantana – Shrub grown as annual in cold climates; wide color range; long bloom.
• Pincushion flower (Scabiosa) – Annuals and perennials; blue, pink, white flowers spring and summer.
• Verbena – Perennials often grown as annual; purples, pinks, reds summer and fall.

Other Amenities

Babysitting Services

Provide larval food plants: milkweed for monarchs, fennel for anise swallowtail, buckwheat for hairstreaks. Add birdhouses and nesting materials (pine needles, string).

Mineral Water

Butterflies need minerals and salts. Create a permanent mud puddle: shallow depression lined with pebbles, kept moist.

Dust Baths

Birds need dry dirt to rid parasites. Set aside a few square feet bordered with rocks/brick, filled with loose sandy soil.

Tanning Salon

Butterflies bask in sun. Provide flat rocks in a sunny, wind-protected area near shrubs.

Combine these plants and amenities for a garden that's a true wildlife haven.