Plant a Butterfly & Bee Garden: Nectar, Larval Hosts & Design in 8×10 Feet

A butterfly garden doesn't need acres. Sunset test garden coordinator Bud Stuckey designed this 8×10 ft. bed using only perennials for low maintenance. Most plants provide nectar (asters, black-eyed Susans, lantana); larval hosts include Asclepias and sedge. An urn fountain offers sipping water; flat rocks create basking spots. Concrete pads (Tuffits from Cottage Gardens of Petaluma, 707-778-8025) invite human visitors.

Planting Plan (Keyed to Diagram)

• A. Trailing lantana (7)
• B. Aster cordifolius 'Cape Cod' (1)
• C. A. c. 'Little Carlow' (1)
• D. 'Mönch' aster (2)
• E. 'Moonshine' yarrow (2)
• F. Dwarf butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii nanhoensis; 1)
• G. 'Midnight' penstemon (2)
• H. 'Sour Grapes' penstemon (1)
• I. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta 'Indian Summer'; 5)
• J. Pittosporum tobira (1)
• K. 'White Swan' coneflower (1)
• L. Asclepias 'Silky Gold' (4)
• M. Gaura lindheimeri (1)
• N. Asclepias tuberosa (3)
• O. Leather leaf sedge (Carex buchananii; 2)
• P. Creeping thyme (4)

Save money: buy trailing lantana and thyme in 4-inch pots; others typically in 1-gallon cans.