Butterfly Gardens

Sitting in your garden watching butterflies’ flitter from plant to plant can be quite enjoyable. If you want to experience this, you should consider plantings that will attract butterflies.

According to Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini, knowing what species of plants butterflies prefer can help gardeners with their selections. “Butterflies are crucial for pollination and are a delight to host in the garden,” Domenghini said,

There are several annual plants that attract butterflies: cosmos, French marigold, petunia, verbena, and zinnia. If you group similar annuals together you create an oasis that is more likely to attract butterflies.

Mixing perennials in with your annuals can help extend your butterfly season. There are mid-season and late-season perennials that are attractive to butterflies.

Some of my favorite mid-season plants that are easy to grow are bee balm, daisy, daylily, and butterfly weed. For late season blooms you can plant asters and sedum.

Besides plants you also need to think about micro-climate. Butterflies are cold blooded, so they need sunshine for warmth as well as shade for escape from the intense sun, so plan your plantings accordingly.

The last thing butterflies need is water. This can be a bird bath, or any type of shallow pan placed near or amongst the flowers.

For more tips and resources contact me at jlcarr@ksu.edu.