Butterflies are some of the most beautiful yet delicate creatures to watch.  Attracting them to your garden is fun and easy.  By choosing specific plants that butterflies love to feed on and lay eggs on, you are sure to have a yard full of these beauties all season long.  Here are a few plants to consider when planning your Butterfly Garden:

Annual Nectar: Alyssum, Cosmos, Marigold, Nicotiana, Pansy/Viola, Petunia, Poppies, Snapdragons, Sunflower, Vinca

Perennial Nectar: Aster, Bee Balm, Buddleia, Coreopsis, Carnation, Daylily, Echinacea, Heliotrope, Lantana, Penta, Phlox, Red Clover, Scabiosa, Sedum, Shasta Daisy, Verbena

Herbs Nectar: Catmint, Garlic Chives, Mint, Thyme, Sage

Catepillar Host: Flowering Almond, Asclepias(butterfly weed), Baptisia, Dill, Fennel, Hibiscus, Parsley, Passion Vine, Penstemon, Weeping Willow, Citrus

  In the picture above, a Swallowtail Butterfly is feeding on a Buddleia, or aptly named ‘Butterfly Bush', which can often be used as the main nectar attractor.  Even planting an herb garden can be quite an attraction!  Be sure to plant your ‘host' plants nearby so that you can experience the whole life cycle of the butterflies you attract.  Your Butterfly Garden can be as large as a whole yard or as small as a single container.  Here is where you can let your creativity and imagination soar.  Fortunately, many of these plants will attract hummingbirds as well, so your rewards are two fold!  Contact us at Louisiana Nursery for more information on Butterfly Gardening!  HAPPY GARDENING!