Butterfly-Friendly Plants Plant Guide
Plants that are considered to attract butterflies can be described as both pollen/nectar producers and host plants for the caterpillars of butterflies. And some plants can pull double duty this way. For example, Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is the host plant for the caterpillars of Monarchs and Tussock Moths, as well as a food source for milkweed bugs and milkweed beetles; the flowers also produce pollen and nectar that attracts many species of butterflies including monarchs, viceroys, hairstreaks, and swallowtails. Plants that attract butterflies can be used for butterfly gardens, monarch waystations, pollinator habitats, in beds and borders, and in container gardens. While most people want flowers for color and to watch the butterflies, it is important to remember the caterpillars and the butterflies they turn into. While some find it unsightly to see caterpillars chewing the leaves of their plants, do not forget that butterflies need to eat too. For children and some adults, finding a caterpillar on a plant can be a very exciting and rewarding experience, so plant some butterfly attracting plants now!
Butterfly Milkweed -Kansas Native
General Information
As the name suggests, Butterfly Milkweed is a great plant to attract the beautiful Monarch butterfly. The plant produces beautiful orange blooms from spring to summer that are also gorgeous as cut flowers.
Plant Information
- Perennial
- Height: 18-24"
- Light: Full sun
- Planting Zone: 3 to 9
- Spread / Width: 12-18"
- Wildlife: Attracts butterflies, deer resistant
- Size: #1, 5.5" pot
Care & Shipping
Native Butterfly Milkweed is easy to grow in average to dry, well drained soil. Deadhead to promote reblooming. Mulch in fall to prevent winter heaving. There are no serious insect or disease problems. Crown rot may be a problem if the soil is too moist and poorly drained. It is also susceptible to rust and leaf spot. PLEASE NOTE: All our milkweed plants will not break dormancy and show growth until late May. Be advised that you will receive a live plant, it will just not be actively producing top growth until the weather warms considerably. NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THESE US STATES AND TERRITORIES: AK, HI, GM, PR, VI
Butterfly Food
Monarch butterfly larvae only feed on milkweed. The plant is essential to the butterfly's life cycle.
Regent Saskatoon Serviceberry
Regent Saskatoon Serviceberry is a hardy shrub native to the Great Plains region. It is a compact form of the species Serviceberry. In early spring, showy white flowers bloom. These attractive blooms give way to blue fruits that are very attractive to birds. The small, round, green berries turn black as they mature. Foliage has attractive yellow-orange, red fall color. Other shrubs of this species are grown commercially for production of the fruit. Common Name: alder-leaved serviceberry. This shrub is a great choice for borders and naturalized areas. Plant against a dark backdrop to highlight the colors and texture of the serviceberry.
Plant Characteristics
- Size: #2, #3, #5
- Bloom Time: Spring
- Color: White
- Water: Average, moist
- Wildlife: Attracts birds, butterflies
- Tolerances: Clay soil, disease resistant, heat tolerant, mildew resistant, needs no deadheading, pollution tolerant, sandy soil
- Height: 4-6'
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Planting Zone: 2 to 7
- Spread / Width: 4-8'
Care & Shipping Notes
Easy to grow in average, well drained soil. Tolerates a variety of soils. No serious insect or disease problems. Rust, leaf spot, fire blight and powdery mildew may be occasional problems. Sawfly, leaf miner, borers, and scale are sometimes pests. NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THESE US STATES AND TERRITORIES: AK, HI, GM, PR, V
Purple Coneflower
General Information
Purple Coneflower features large, daisy-like flowers. The petals grow around the spiny, coppery-brown, cone shaped seed head. The eye-catching flowers that grow atop strong, rigid stems with dark green, lance shaped leaves that are coarsely-toothed. The beautiful blooms occur during the summer with some continued blooms until fall. The Purple Coneflower often grows naturally in open woodlands and prairies. Beautiful in cut flower arrangements. Can be dried for use in dried flower arrangements. Flowers left on the stem to dry will often persist into winter. Goldfinches and other songbirds feed on the seeds. Beautiful for naturalized plantings. Use in a border or native garden.
Additional Information
- Size: 5.5" Pot
- Bloom Time: Fall, summer
- Color: Purple
- Water: Average
- Wildlife: Attracts birds and butterflies, deer resistant
- Tolerances: Clay soil, mildew resistant, rust resistant, sandy soil
- Height: 24-36"
- Full to part sun
- Planting Zone: 3 to 9
- Spread / Width: 20-24"
Care & Shipping Notes
Grow in average, well drained soil. Adapts to a variety of soil types, including clay, and shallow rocky soil. Remove seed heads to prevent reseeding. Divide every 3 to 4 years to prevent overcrowding. Japanese beetle may be pests. Leaf spot may cause problems. NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THESE US STATES AND TERRITORIES: AK, HI, GM, PR, VI
wood's purple aster
Wood's Purple Aster
General Information
Clusters of charming royal purple semi-double flowers bloom late summer to mid-fall. The dwarf, compact, rounded plant is a prolific bloomer. Excellent resistance to mildew and rust. Attracts butterflies and is deer resistant. Great for cutting!
Additional Information
- Bloom Time: Fall
- Color: Purple
- Water: Drought resistant
- Wildlife: Attracts butterflies. Deer, insect, and rabbit resistant
- Tolerances: Clay soil, disease resistant, frost tolerant, mildew resistant, needs no deadheading, rust resistant, sandy soil
- Size: #1, #2, 4.5" pot
- Height: 12-16"
- Light: Full sun
- Planting Zone: 3 to 8
- Speed / Width: 15-20"
Care & Shipping
No serious insect or disease problems. Can pinch back until July and then not again until the next spring. Can divide Wood’s Purple Aster every 2 to 3 years. NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THESE US STATES AND TERRITORIES: AK, HI, GM, PR, VI
Black-Eyed Susan - Native
General Information
The Black-Eyed Susan features daisy-like flowers with bright, yellow-orange petals and dark centers. Hairy, narrow green leaves grow along the hairy stem. Summer long bloom time! Grows native to some areas of the south central United States. Will naturalize and form large, beautiful colonies. Beautiful for perennial or native gardens. Good cut flowers. Plant in mass in meadows and prairies. Great for naturalized settings.
Additional Information
- Size: 5.5"
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Color: Orange, Yellow
- Water: Average, drought resistant
- Wildlife: Attracts birds and butterflies. Deer and insect resistant.
- Tolerances: Clay soil, disease resistant, drought resistant, heat tolerant, mildew resistant, no deadheading, rust resistant, sandy soil
- Height: 24-36"
- Light: Full Sun
- Planting Zone: 3 to 8
- Spread / Width: 12-18"
Care & Shipping Notes
Care and Shipping NotesEasy to grow in average, well drained soil. Will tolerate a variety of soil, including dry. No serious insect or disease problems. NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THESE US STATES AND TERRITORIES: AK, HI, GM, PR, VI
About Grimm's Gardens
Our goal at Grimm’s Gardens is to provide beauty through plants and landscape to those around us by providing quality plants and the best customer service. Our philosophy is God first, family second, and hard work will make us all successful.
Contact us
- Phone: 1-888-459-2586
- Website: www.grimmsgarden.com
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