One of my favorite parts of the butterfly gardens is planting a slew of nectar plants, such a beautiful burst of color, all serving a purpose. Over the years I have found that not all the plants I have listed below thrive in the spaces I have designated as my butterfly gardens. Experiment, do not hesitate to move plants around if they start looking droopy to either more sun, or more shade.
The best advice I can give is find a local nursery, preferably one that sells butterfly native plants. I have found a great resource at All Native Garden Center, Nursery & Landscapes, as they are incredibly informed on the plants they sell. From my experience, the plants thrive better from a native nursery than purchasing from a big box store.
The mist flower needs full sun to part shade and enjoys wet roots.
This beauty can be placed in part shade to full sun and is salt tolerant. The steam is hairy and rough and can grow to be 3 feet tall. It is part of the Asteraceae family, aster, or daisy.
This does well in full to part sun, is salt tolerant and is great for planting near the beach. I have this plant in a few different places. It’s great ground cover, grows fast and does well when you trim it back.
This one loves part shade to full sun. The flower has an incredible aroma and is a favorite for almost all species of butterflies that frequent the garden.
This one enjoys part shade to full sun and wet roots. I am very happy with this plant. It can grow to be 3 feet tall and blackens when dried. It flowers all year long and is part of the boraginaceae family.
This plant loves part shade to full sun. Another favorite in our garden, as we have multiple plants everywhere. They continue to reseed themselves. The white grows fuller with some taller growth.
This plant loves part shade to full sun. Another favorite in our garden, as we have multiple plants everywhere. They continue to reseed themselves and grow tall, giving the garden some dimension.
Plant this beauty in full sun to part shade. I love this plant. The flowers are beautiful and it has doubled in size since it was planted. This is part of the commelinaceae family.
