Planting wildflowers in your yard not only adds natural beauty to your landscape, it can also provide important resources to our pollinators! Since these flowers are “wild” they can be fairly easy to grow in a variety of conditions. They will also likely spread naturally, so they are a great option if you have acreage that needs cover. Below are 5 types of wildflowers that attract butterflies and other pollinators.
What types of Wildflowers attract Butterflies?
Butterflies are attracted to wildflowers that have bright colors, a sweet fragrance, and a nectar-rich bloom. Butterflies are also attracted to certain “host plants”, like milkweed, because it is a main food source for their larva (caterpillars!).
Why plant wildflowers?
As I mentioned above, wildflowers can fit into your yard’s landscaping to aid pollinators. Butterflies, bees, bats, and other native pollinators are in dire need of nectar in many places. When these bugs and animals have an abundant food source, they are able to pollinate native plant species and multiply- helping the environment in multiple ways at once! It is important to research what wildflower species are native to your area to avoid introducing an invasive species.
5 Wildflowers to Attract Butterflies
Milkweed:
Milkweed is a favorite of monarch butterflies. The nectar-rich flowers provide a valuable food source for adult butterflies, while the leaves are a food source for monarch caterpillars. Monarch butterflies are known to seek out milkweed specifically to lay their eggs on. So, planting milkweed on your property can be a huge benefit to the butterfly population in your area.
It is important to note that milkweed can be toxic to animals when large amounts are eaten. So, you should not plant milkweed in areas where your livestock may be grazing. Milkweed has over 100 native species in America and you can find species native to your area online here. You can also read some info about milkweed from US Fish and Wildlife here. You can buy Milkweed seeds online here: Milkweed Seeds.
Purple Coneflower:
Purple coneflower is a hardy wildflower that produces daisy-like flowers with bright purple petals and a dark center. It is a favorite of butterflies and bees, and it blooms from summer to fall. Coneflowers have been a little trickier to plant in my experience; but, once they are established in your yard they will come back on their own. You can purchase Coneflower Seeds online here: Cone Flower Seeds
Black-eyed Susan:
Black-eyed Susan is a bright yellow wildflower that blooms from midsummer to fall. It is a favorite of butterflies and bees, and it can grow up to 3 feet tall. Black-eyed Susans love to spread out and will return every year without much help. These are one of my personal favorites as they have done so well for me in Indiana.
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Butterfly Weed:
Okay, Butterfly weed is technically a type of Milkweed. I think Butterfly Weed deserves it’s own spot here though because it has different physical characteristics that makes it attract several different types of butterflies.
Butterfly Weed is shorter than other types of Milkweed, which makes it more manageable for the backyard garden. It produces bright orange flowers that bloom in summer and attract a variety of butterflies.
Bee Balm:
Bee balm is a wildflower that produces bright red, pink, or purple flowers that bloom in midsummer. It is a favorite of butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, and it can grow up to 4 feet tall. You can buy Bee Balm seeds online here: Beebalm Seeds.
By planting these wildflowers, you can attract a variety of butterflies to your garden and provide them with a valuable source of nectar.
