Requirements are plenty of sunshine, nectar-providing flowers, and preferably an area protected from prevailing winds.

Lilac, butterfly bush or viburnum can give the necessary protection and can be easily worked into a perennial/annual garden, and all have flowers attractive to butterflies.  A shallow mud puddle or other water source will also invite butterflies to your garden.  It is recommended that you refrain from using herbicides or pesticides as they are damaging to larvae as well as the butterflies.  Plant in small masses to encourage butterflies to drift from clump to clump. Following are some suggested plants available at Boyert’s for your butterfly garden.  Enjoy!

Perennials:

Achillea (Yarrow)
Arabis
Asclepias (Butterfly Weed)
Aster
Centranthus
Dianthus (Pinks)
Dianthus (Sweet William)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed)
Filipendula (Meadow Sweet)
Helenium
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Iberis (Candytuft)
Lavender
Liatris (Gay Feather)
Lupine
Monarda (Bee Balm)
Oregano
Phlox
Pulmonaria (Lungwort)
Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’

Annuals:

Allysum
Angel’s Trumpet
Cosmos
Dianthus
Lantana
Nicotiana
Parsley (Caterpillar food!)
Verbena

Shrubs:

Azalea
Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
Lilac
Mock Orange
Viburnum