Butterfly Gardening: Best Plants to Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds

Butterflies transform a garden into living art. By planting nectar-rich flowers and host plants for caterpillars, you invite a procession of species—and often hummingbirds too.

Top Nectar Plants

• Yarrow (Achillea)
• Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• Blanket flower (Gaillardia)
• Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
• Sunflower (Helianthus)
• Shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum)
• Sweet alyssum (Lobularia)
• Aster, black-eyed Susan, coreopsis, cosmos, dianthus, purple coneflower, roses, verbena, marigold, zinnia, phlox

Host Plants for Caterpillars

Monarchs need milkweed (Asclepias); swallowtails use parsley, dill, fennel; fritillaries need passionflower; painted ladies use hollyhock, thistle. Research local species and their host plants.

Design Tips

• Plant in sunny, wind-protected spots.
• Provide flat rocks for basking.
• Shallow mud puddle or damp sand for “puddling” (mineral uptake).
• No pesticides—organic only.
• Succession of blooms spring through fall.

A butterfly garden is a sanctuary for pollinators and a daily delight for the gardener.