Garden Plans

Butterfly Garden



Click here to return or use your "Back" button

The stained-glass patterns of butterflies add an extra dimension to this floral island bed, which bursts with perennial and annual flowers that are irresistible to butterflies. A variety of blossoms offers nectar to adult butterflies, while leafy food sources, such as parsley, nourish the larvae. The one shrub in the design is commonly called "butterfly bush" for good reason—it lures butterflies of all sorts. Rocks are convenient perches for butterflies to sun themselves, and a birdbath provides water. Butterflies are sun-loving creatures, as are the plants in this garden. Locate it where it receives six or more hours of sun daily. And remember: No pesticides are allowed in your butterfly garden.

Plant List
A-
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Zones 4-9. Bright orange flowers in late spring, unusual seed pods. 24" tall.
Alternative Plants
Anthea Yarrow (Achillea ‘Anthea‘)
Zones 4-8. Flat-topped clusters of tiny butter-yellow flowers. Sturdy stems. 18"-20" tall.

B-
Purple Dome Aster (Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’)
Zones 4-8. Abundant purple flowers in fall, rounded habit. 18" tall.
Alternative Plants
Red Star Aster (Aster novae-angliae ‘Red Star’)
Zones 4-8. Starry rose-red flowers in fall. 15" tall.

C-
Nanho Purple Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii ‘Nanho Purple‘)
Zones 5-9. A shrub with slender wands of violet-blue blossoms. Long bloom season. Cut stems to the ground in winter to maintain compact size. 5' tall.

D-
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea‘Bright Star‘ )
Zones 4-9. Bright yellow flowers, ferny foilage. 12” tall
Alternative Plants
Eva Cullum Summer Phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Eva Cullum’)
Zones 4-8. Dense clusters of clear pink florets in summer. 30" tall.

E-
Spike Gayfeather (Liatris spicata ‘Floristan Violet’)
Zones 3-9. Purple bottle-brush flowers in summer. 36" tall.
Alternative Plants
Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) (substitute 2 Russian sage for 4 spike gayfeather)
Zones 5-10. Aromatic gray-green leaves, lavender-blue flowers, long season of bloom. 48" tall.

F-
Petite Delight Bee Balm (Monarda didyma ‘Petite Delight’)
Zones 3-9. A dwarf form. Pink summer flowers. 12"-15" tall.
Alternative Plants
Rosenkuppel Oregano (Origanum laevigatum ‘Rosenkuppel’)
Zones 5-9. Lavender-pink flowers in summer. 12"-15" tall.

G-
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’)
Zones 3-8. Golden daisies with dark centers, late summer. 24" tall.
Alternative Plants
Sunray Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Sunray‘)
Zones 4-9. Bright yellow, double flowers. Blooms for two to three months in summer. 18"-24" tall.

H-
Matrona Stonecrop (Sedum ‘Matrona‘)
Zones 3-9. Flat-topped clusters of tiny rose-pink flowers in late summer. Dark stems. 24" tall.
Alternative Plants
Dwarf Iris (Iris ‘Banbury Ruffles‘ or any dwarf variety)
Zones 3-9. Blue flowers in May, fans of foliage. 15" tall.

I-
Golden Fleece Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’)
Zones 3-10. Sprays of bright yellow flowers, unique foliage. 18" tall.
Alternative Plants
Butterfly Blue Pincushion Flower (Scabiosa columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue‘)
Zones 3-10. Lavender-blue flowers, long blooming season. 12" tall.

J-
Elijah Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’)
Zones 4-8. A clump-forming grass with fine, soft blue leaves. 12" tall.
Alternative Plants
Cushion Spurge (Euphorbia epithymoides or E. polychroma)
Zones 4-9. Chrome-yellow flowers in spring, reddish leaves in fall. 15" tall.

K-
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
All zones. An annual with tiny, honey-scented white flowers. Replant every spring. 4" tall.

L-
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
All zones. An herb. Serves as food for butterfly larvae. Replant every spring. 12" tall.

M-
Dwarf Zinnia (Zinnia elegans, any dwarf variety such as Peter Pan or Dreamland)
All zones. An annual that blooms all summer long. Many colors available. Replant every spring. 12" tall.