The Top 5 Plants to Attract Butterflies to Your Yard

Flowers and butterflies are seemingly made for each. And some plants act as butterfly magnets. If you would like to enjoy these wondrous insects in your yard, you should keep a healthy supply of the following plants in your garden.

1. Yarrow

The yarrow is a perennial plant that is an absolute necessity for butterfly lovers who are serious about attracting the insects to their gardens. Yarrows are native to North America, Europe, and Asia. However, they have also demonstrated the ability to grow in a variety of environments.

You can grow yarrow in soil that is moist and well-drained to provide a perfect place in your yard for butterflies to rest from their travels.

The yarrow loves sunlight and grows to an average height of 18-24 inches. In addition to earning the butterfly’s love, yarrows are commonly used for cooking, medicines, and cosmetics for many years. The yarrow will also benefit your garden by adding calcium, phosphorous, and silica to the soil.

2. Aster

The aster comes complete with full stems and vibrant colors that are sure to catch the eye of passersby, whether they are walking or flying. This includes the numerous butterflies that will visit your garden for a bit of the nectar supplied by the plants. Asters are perennial plants that do not need much maintenance. They thrive when they are planted in well-drained soil and provided with direct sunlight. Growing these drought-resistant plants will reward gardeners with butterflies that make frequent visits to enjoy the aster’s fall bloom.

Asters have been known to grow anywhere from eight inches to eight feet and can bloom in various colors. You should space your asters apart when planting at a distance that reflects how large you expect them to grow.

3. Butterfly Bush

If you are wondering which of your plant choices is most loved by butterflies, you probably need to look no further than the butterfly bush. The butterfly bush will provide your garden with a bright and colorful shrub that will stand out regardless of the other plants present. The bush is also favored by butterflies for the sweet nectar it produces.

The butterfly bush is native to China and can grow as large as 12 feet in height. The bush can grow in a multitude of colors. But the pink and lavender varieties seem to attract more butterflies than others.

4. Coneflower

The coneflower is not only a favorite among butterflies but will also attract birds and bees to your garden. Coneflowers grow well in soil that is moist but well-drained. The plant favors locations where it can enjoy the full light of the sun. These plants often serve as the center attraction in gardens specifically designed to entertain butterflies.

The coneflower is native to America and takes its name from its cone-shaped center. The low-maintenance plant does not need fertilizer. It will attract all butterfly types in your immediate area to your yard to feast on its nectar.

5. Bee Balm

The bee balm gives off a fragrance that will attract butterflies to your yard. And as the name suggests, they are also a favorite plant for bees. Bee balm plants do not handle drought conditions well, so you need to make sure you keep the soil in which you choose to grow them moist.

The bee balm is a member of the mint family and will bloom each year in July. The plant will provide a source of nectar for butterflies until the fall approaches. The plant will die back in the winter months but will return with a full complement of its exotic fragrances and sweet nectar each summer.

There are not many things more relaxing than watching the interaction between butterflies and the plants in your yard. The colorful combinations these interactions can produce is a wonder of nature that will add aesthetic value to your yard and enjoyment to your life. These five plants have proven their ability to attract butterflies to your yard.