If you provide a specific area of plants to serve as butterfly magnets it should be in full sun. Avoid the use of pesticides for obvious reasons. And make sure there is a water source nearby as well as some shelter.

Supply host plants on which eggs can be laid, so that a ready food source is at hand for emerged caterpillars.  Provide nectar-rich perennials to feed adult butterflies. This will ensure that your garden is not only enriched by the beauty of butteflies but also helped by their pollinating efforts.

The many plant combinations below will ensure that your gardens are alive with the beauty and activity of many butterfly species.

* Watch for the animated hummingbird and butterfly with the plants that attract them. *
The deer icon indicates plants that deer are not usually attracted to.

The best time and method to propagate plants can be found on our image-intensive PROPAGATION page.

To help your plants grow their best, check out our FERTILIZATION page.

To create your own plant partnerships based on tried and true color theory, check out our GARDEN COLOR page.

To see if a particular plant is on this page press Ctrl+F, type in the name, then click the Find button.

HESPERIS

The four flower petals of the genus Hesperis distinguish it from forms of Phlox for which it is often mistaken. Best in full sun, with moist well-drained soil, this upright perennial or biennial has purple or white blooms in May-June with a strong fragrance in the evening. After bloom the plant goes dormant and should be cut down as soon as it yellows. Allow some seeding to ensure plants for subsequent years.

Hesperis matronalis:  Sweet Rocket, 2-1/2'x2', narrow serrated leaves

for partnership ideas, follow the link to Purple Perennials & Their Companions

LIATRIS

Looking unlike any other Aster in which family it belongs, Blazing Star produces flower spikes that appear fuzzy or feathery and open from the top down. This is a North American wildflower, loved by birds, butterflies and bees. Cut flowers add an exotic look to floral arrangements. Plant this perennial in full sun and provide the well-drained soil preferred and you can enjoy a mid-summer to early fall display.

Liatris:  Blazing Star, Gayfeather

with:  Solidago canadensis
in front of:  Anchusa azurea (A. italica), Achillea, Artemisia, Chrysanthemum x superbum,
Gypsophila paniculata, Heliopsis, Phlox paniculata including white 'Mt. Fujiyama',
Perovskia atriplicifolia, Echinops ritro, Ornamental Grasses
offset in front of:  Echinacea purpurea (white forms), Malva alcea, Malva moschata 'Alba'
combined with:  Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan' & Buddleia

where:  to attract butterflies & goldfinches
with:  Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan'
combined with:  Alcea rugosa (A. ficifolia), Echinops ritro & Buddleia 'Red Plume'

where:  front of border (its grass-like foliage must be kept out of the lawn)
with:  Calamintha nepetoides

where:  moist areas
with:  Phlox paniculata ‘Mt. Fujiyama’

with:  Lythrum 'Robert' & Achillea x 'Moonshine'

where:  meadow, prairie & perennials gardens, near ponds or streams
generally with:  pale yellows
with other butterfly magnets:  pale mauve Monarda fistulosa, Echinacea purpurea, Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm',
Coreopsis
with:  Achillea, Artemisia, Chrysanthemum x superbum, Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Ornamental Grasses
combined with:  Liatris 'Kobold' & Platycodon grandiflorus 'Alba'
above trio with:  Pulmonaria saccharata 'Mrs. Moon' & Delphinium elatum 'Blue Connecticut Yankee'

seen in the picture above with:  soft pink Sidalcea malviflora 'Mr. Lingbergh'
with:  Jasione perennis 'Blue Light'
for more ideas see Liatris spicata 'Floristan White' combinations below

with:  Geranium (hardy species), Iris pseudacorus, Lysimachia punctata, Lupinus, Dianthus (alpine), Kniphofia uvaria

with:  Achillea, Echinacea purpurea, Artemisia, Chrysanthemum x superbum, Phlox paniculata,
Ornamental Grasses
combined with:  Heuchera 'Palace Purple', Liatris spicata (purple forms), Origanum 'Herenhausen' &
Scabiosa 'Pink Mist'
all white combination with:  Physostegia virginiana, Lilium 'Casa Blanca' & Phlox paniculata 'Mt. Fujiyama'

where:  front to mid-border
with other butterfly magnets:  Solidago canadensis, Phlox paniculata (white)
with:  white Platycodon grandiflorus 'Alba', cool yellow Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'

LIMONIUM

Sea Lavender, sometimes called Statice, has been described as a baby's breath look-alike plant because its flowers appear in airy clusters. It is happiest in either full sun or partial shade with rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Limonium latifolium:  Sea Lavender

for partnership ideas follow the link toWhite Perennials & Their Companions - 2

MONARDA

Known also as Bergamot and Horsemint, Bee Balm produces ragged-looking flowers in a variety of colours above fragrant foliage. This is another North American wildflower. Plant the red types especially to bring hummingbirds to your garden in droves. Moist soil and frequent division will keep your plants healthy.

Monarda didyma:  Bee Balm

where:  formal or informal gardens, herb gardens
with:  Achillea, Anthemis including A. tinctoria 'Kelwayi', Astilbe, Chrysanthemum spp, Dodecatheon meadia,
Geranium, Helenium, Lilium, Lysimachia clethroides, Platycodon including
P. grandiflorus var. Mariesii Blue, Scabiosa, Stokesia laevis
combined with:  Veronicastrum (Veronica virginica), Boltonia 'Pink Beauty' & Phlox paniculata 'Franz Schubert'
with other butterfly magnets:  Echinacea purpurea, Phlox paniculata (including white 'Mt. Fujiyama'),
Rudbeckia including R. 'Goldsturm' or 'Marmalade', Rudbeckia laciniata 'Goldquelle'
with bulbs:  Allium including A. aflatunense, A. giganteum, A. schoenoprasum, A. senescens
(a rosy-purple butterfly magnet)
in moist areas with:  Eupatorium, Filipendula, Filipendula rubra, Hibiscus, Ferns

beside:  Aconitum (cool blue, violet or blue & white forms)
behind:  Stokesia laevis
in front of:  Delphinium (blue)
with other butterfly magnets:  Hemerocallis (fruit shades), Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'
with whites:  Artemisia 'Guizho', Chrysanthemum x superbum 'Alaska' or 'Diener's Double', Veronicastrum virginicum
combined with:  white Veronicastrum virginicum, Aconitum bicolor 'Bicolor' & Hemerocallis (peachy shades)
in front of:  Gypsophila paniculata, ivory Lilium martagon (Turk's Cap Lily) & Delphinium (blue)

seen above in front of:  bluish-purple annual Delphinium Consolida ajacis & deep purple Clematis 'Polish Spirit'
with:  Achillea 'Moonshine', Filipendula rubra 'Venusta', Phlox paniculata (rose forms)
in front of:  Aconitum
behind:  Anthemis tinctoria 'Kelwayi'
combined with:  Lilium (white Asiatic) & Tanacetum (Feverfew) all behind a purple-spiked perennial
(such as Veronica spp.) in front
combined with:  Lilium 'Pink Perfection' in front of Aconitum & behind Gypsophila 'Rosy Veil'
pastel combination with:  Echinacea purpurea, Stachys byzantina, Verbena, Geranium spp &
Ornamental Grasses
with:  Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'

combined with:  Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan', Lilium 'Mount Everest & Monarda 'Marshall's Delight'

combined with:  Achillea x 'Moonshine' & Astilbe x arendsii 'Deutschland'
in front of:  Aconitum, with white Chrysanthemum x superbum
with:  Hemerocallis 'Hyperion' (canary-yellow)

with:  Chrysanthemum x superbum
combined with:  Achillea x 'Moonshine' & Astilbe x arendsii 'Deutschland'
combined with:  Anthemis tinctoria 'Kelwayi '& Hibiscus spp. (bright pink)

in front of:  Aconitum with white Chrysanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy)
combined with:  Artemisia lactiflora, Lobelia 'Compliment Scarlet' & Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'

with:  Astilbe, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Echinacea purpurea 'White Swan'
in front of:  Delphinium (light blue)

for partnership ideas follow the link to White Perennials & Their Companions - 2

with:  Lilium, Phlox paniculata, Achillea, Geranium, Astilbe
in moist areas with:  Eupatorium, Filipendula rubra, Hibiscus, Ferns

with:  Liatris spicata

MYRRHIS

There is only one species in this genus. Sweet Cicely will grow in sun or shade in well-drained soil. Everything about this graceful perennial is attractive, from the ferny green foliage to the fragrant fuzzy-looking white flowers. When I saw this plant with the white effect described below in Patrick Lima's book - The Art of Perennial Gardening, Creative Ways With Hardy Flowers - I knew I'd found a combination I couldn't wait to try out.

Myrrhis odorata

seen above in front of:  the emerging foliage of Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' and beside a boxwood shrub
for a white effect behind:  Tulipa 'Spring Green' (white with green veining), underplanted with white Lamium &
Miscanthus sinensis 'Variegatus' nearby
with:  scarlet Oriental Poppies

PHLOX

Butterflies will be drawn to the aroma of flowers in the genus Phlox, particularly the mid-summer blooming Garden Phlox, Phlox paniculata.

Phlox decussata 'David':  white, mildew-resistant

combined with:  Rudbeckia, Aster 'Hella Lacy' & Coreopsis 'Goldfink'

with:  Hemerocallis 'Pink Lavender Appeal' (unusual colour)
with:  Nepeta sibirica
combined with:  Linum perenne & Tulipa (white or yellow)
combined with:  Campanula lactiflora 'White Flower Farm Selection' (a mid-blue), Digitalis ambigua &
Chrysanthemum parthenium

with:  Nepeta sibirica

where:  informal or formal gardens, woodland edges, rich, moist, well-drained sites
for contrast with spiky plants:  Cimicifuga racemosa, Digitalis, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora, Iris x germanica,
Veronica longifolia, Veronicastrum virginicum
for shape contrast with rounded plants:  Echinops ritro, Geranium, Gypsophila paniculata
with Ornamental Grasses:  Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder'
with:  Artemisia, Artemisia lactiflora, Chelone lyonii, Chrysanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy),
Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam', Erigeron 'Profusion', Erigeron speciosus, Filipendula, Filipendula rubra, Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'
with:  Goniolinum tartaricum, Helenium autumnale, Heliopsis, Kniphofia, Liatris, Limonium latifolium,
Lobelia siphilitica, Lythrum salicaria 'Morden Pink', Malva alcea, Malva moschata 'Alba', Patrinia scabiosifolia 'Nagoya', Physostegia virginiana, Platycodon, Polemonium caeruleum, Sanguisorba canadensis, Scabiosa caucasica, Sidalcea including bright pink 'Party Girl', Stokesia laevis
with:  Aconitum including Aconitum x cammarum 'Bicolor' (violet and white)
with:  Eryngium including E. amethystinum, E. planum, E. tripartitum or hybrids
in front of:  Anchusa, Delphinium (tall types), Digitalis
behind:  Oenothera macrocarpa (formerly O. missouriensis)
in shade with:  Astilbe
with other butterfly magnets:  Aster, Aster x frikartii, Echinacea purpurea, Eupatorium, Helianthus, Hemerocallis,
Monarda including 'Violet Queen' (deep violet purple), Rudbeckia including 'Goldsturm', 'Goldquelle' and 'Marmalade', Solidago canadensis
behind:  Anthemis tinctoria, Aquilegia, Iris
beside:  Paeonia, Papaver orientale
combined with:  Calamintha, Gypsophila paniculata 'Perfecta' & Perovskia atriplicifolia

with:  Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'

with:  Veronicastrum virginicum (white)

with:  Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'
with:  Thalictrum aquilegiafolium, Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double'
behind:  Elymus arenarius (Sea Lyme Grass) with Lavatera 'Silver Cup' (bright pink veined with maroon) &
Cosmos (mauve or wine-red)

for partnership ideas follow the link to Orange Perennials & Their Companions

especially nice with:  Echinops ritro

with:  Aconitum pyrenaicum (yellow)
with:  Artemisia ludoviciana (Silver Sage)
with:  Chrysanthemum parthenium (now Tanacetum parthenium)
combined with:  Cimicifuga racemosa & hardy white Lilies
combined with:  Artemisia ludoviciana & crimson-coloured roses

the cultivar above is 'Europa' with very light pink petals and a much darker pink eye
with:  Thalictrum aquilegiafolium

in front of:  Delphinium 'Black Knight' (gorgeous)
with:  Aconitum, Lythrum, Cimicifuga, Chrysanthemum x superbum, Artemisia lactiflora,
Gypsophila, Artemisia

with:  Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket'

for partnership ideas follow the link to Pink Perennials & Their Companions

not with:  Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'

in front of:  Miscanthus sinensis
behind:  Helictotrichon sempervirens

with:  Achillea 'Summer Pastels', Delphinium, Echinacea purpurea, Erigeron, Filipendula, Geranium,
Helenium autumnale, Helianthus, Heliopsis, Liatris, Patrinia scabiosifolia, Platycodon, Salvia x superba, Thalictrum aquilegiafolium
with:  Iris x germanica (blue or light yellow), Centaurea montana, Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'
in front of:  Aconitum (violet), Aconitum (blue & white)
in front of:  Digitalis, Anchusa
behind:  Hemerocallis (peach & apricot shades)
behind:  Astilbe, Iris, Aquilegia
with:  Ornamental Grasses
with other butterfly magnets:  Eupatorium, Monarda, Hemerocallis
combined with:  Campanula lactiflora 'Loddon Anna' (soft pink), Perovskia atriplicifolia & Caryopteris
or Adenophora confusa
combined with:  Aconitum (dark blue) & Hemerocallis (melon-coloured form feathered with red)
combined with:  Achillea filipendulina 'Gold Plate', Hemerocallis (tawny-coloured) & Aconitum x bicolor

imagine this magnetic pink beauty in combinations suggested generally for pink forms above

note:  sweet fragrance attracts both butterflies and hummingbirds
combined with:  Sanguisorba obtusa, Geranium psilostemon & Centranthus 'Snowcloud'

with:  Polemonium caeruleum

generally with:  blues, whites, pale yellows
with:  Polemonium caeruleum
late blooming combo with:  Veronicastrum virginicum, Boltonia 'Pink Beauty' & Monarda
combined with:  Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver King & Hemerocallis 'Joan Senior'

for even more companions refer to:  Phlox paniculata - white forms - above
with:  Chrysanthemum x superbum
combined with other white flowered perennials:  Physostegia, Lilium 'Casa Blanca' & Liatris 'Floristan White'
between strong colours:  Achillea x 'Coronation Gold', Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam', Liatris pycnostachya,
Miscanthus 'Silberfeder' & Lilium 'Sans Souci'
with other butterfly magnets:  Monarda didyma
combined with:  Perovskia atriplicifolia & Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam'

with:  white flowers, silver-leaved plants

with:  Achillea 'Red Beauty'

RUTA

Rue is a genus of evergreen summer-flowering sub-shrubs. Foliage is deeply divided and aromatic. Small mustard-yellow flowers appear in clusters. These should be removed while in bud if it is the impact of the foliage you want to highlight. Prune back to old wood only in the spring to keep the plant compact. Semi-ripe cuttings may be taken in summer for propagation purposes. If you spot caterpillars on the foliage do not spray. Rue is favoured by the larvae of the monarch butterfly.

Ruta graveolens:  1-3'x2'

for partnership ideas follow the link to Foliage Perennials & Their Companions - 2

SEDUM

Border varieties of this genus, both upright in habit and late-blooming, provide a landing platform for butterflies who appreciate their large flower clusters. Bees will be drawn to them as well. This may be considered a bonus or a drawback.

Sedum spectabile:  Showy Stonecrop

with:  hybrid Tulipa, Achillea, Echinacea purpurea, Geranium, Coreopsis, Ornamental Grasses,
annual purple Sage
with:  blue forms of Aster novi-belgii, Aster novae-angliae, Aster x frikartii
combined with:  Eupatorium (lavender-blue) & Salvia x superba

with shrubs:  Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea', Caryopteris x clandonensis 'Blue Mist' (lavender-blue)
or 'Dark Knight' (violet-blue)
with other butterfly magnets:  Asclepias tuberosa, Aster (Michaelmas Daisy), blue New England or New York types,
Aster frikartii (any blues), Aster novae-angliae 'Alma Potschke' (deep salmon-pink), Aster novae-angliae 'Autumn Snow', Aster novi-belgii 'Benary's Composition Mix', Rudbeckia including 'Goldquelle', 'Goldsturm' and 'Marmalade'
combined with:  Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm' & Pennisetum alopecuroides
with:  Chrysanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy), Echinops ritro
with:  Sanguisorba canadensis
with:  Eupatorium coelestinum, Helenium autumnale 'Brilliant', Helenium 'Hoopesii', Helianthus decapetalus,
Gaura lindheimeri
behind:  Dianthus 'Aqua', Geranium sanguineum striatum, Potentilla 'Firedance'
with:  Ornamental Grasses including Festuca, tall Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus', Pennisetum alopecuroides,
Pennisetum villosum
in front of:  Papaver orientale to hide the poppy's foliage when it dies back, Achillea 'Coronation Gold'
between:  Yucca smalliana & Stachys byzantina
behind:  Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'
beside:  Aster 'Little Blue Boy' (dwarf), Aster ericoides 'Blue Star'
beside:  Coreopsis verticillata 'Golden Showers' or 'Moonbeam', Kniphofia 'Royal Castle Hybrids',
Salvia farinacea 'Victoria' (annual)
in front of:  Artemisia 'Powis Castle', Boltonia asteroides
with:  Perovskia atriplicifolia, Physostegia virginiana 'Alba', Verbena bonariensis
behind:  Artemisia schmidtiana nana 'Silver Mound'

never with:  Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (their colours clash terribly)
note:  it is safe to use many of the same companions as for 'Autumn Joy' however without clashes
with:  Veronicastrum virginicum

behind:  Gonioliunum tartaricum
in front of:  Perovskia atriplicifolia
with:  Helianthemum 'Wisley Pink'
with:  Campanula carpatica 'White Clips'

beside:  Eryngium bourgatii
behind:  Limonium latifolium
in front of:  Centranthus ruber

SOLIDAGO

Goldenrod does not cause hay fever so can be safely added to your gardens in full sun to light shade for late summer colour. This plant tolerates drought and is available in many desirable cultivars including those shown below.

Solidago:  Goldenrod

for partnership ideas follow the link to Yellow Perennials & Their Companions - 2

for partnership ideas follow the link to Yellow Perennials & Their Companions - 2

for partnership ideas follow the link to Yellow Perennials & Their Companions - 2

for partnership ideas follow the link to Yellow Perennials & Their Companions - 2

VERBENA

A clear favourite with British garden writer, Christopher Lloyd, this tender perennial that often self-sows will continue blooming into October. Surely this is a welcome addition to any garden.

Verbena bonariensis:  tender perennial, deep purple, 4-5', Zone 7

formerly:  V. patagonica
nearly as appealing to butterflies as Buddleia
where:  especially attractive in mass plantings
with:  Hemerocallis
with:  Lavandula, Achillea, Sedum, Echinacea purpurea, Echinops, Yucca
with other butterfly attractors:  Eupatorium (Joe-Pye-weed), Buddleia

VERONICASTRUM

Also called Bowman's Root and Blackroot as well as Culver's Root, this elegant late summer blooming perennial will add height and structure to the mid to rear areas of any border with full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. Flower spikes can bring the height of this plant to from 4-7 feet. Provide ample fertilization for best results.

Veronicastrum virginicicum:  Culver's Root

synonym:  Veronica virginica
where:  sun to light shade, average to damp soil
generally with:  white & blue perennials, foliage plants (i.e. Hosta, Ornamental Grasses)
with other butterfly magnets:  Hemerocallis, Phlox paniculata, Rudbeckia
with:  Aconitum, Anemone japonica, Angelica gigas, Helenium autumnale, Monarda didyma
late blooming combination with:  Boltonia 'Pink Beauty', Monarda & Phlox paniculata 'Franz Schubert'
combined with:  Helenium autumnale 'Brilliant' & Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
combined with:  Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima', Cimicifuga & Thalictrum

with:  Phlox paniculata (hot pink), Monarda (red) & Hemerocallis (peachy tones)
in light shade with:  Aconitum (violet), Aconitum bicolor 'Bicolor'
behind:  pink Hemerocallis
combined with:  Hemerocallis 'Joan Senior', Miscanthus sinensis 'Silberfeder' & Achillea 'Coronation Gold'

• Asclepias to Hemerocallis

All of our own Gardens By The Bay pages can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

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CORNER GARDEN CONSTRUCTION  |  CORNER GARDEN PLANTING  |  LONG GARDEN

EAST GARDEN  |  HOSTA GARDEN  |  NORTH GARDEN  |  WINTER GARDENS

PLANT PARTNERSHIPS

BLUE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Geranium  |  Iris - Vinca

BULBS    Allium - Hyacinthus  |  Narcissus only  |  Tulipa only  |  Minor Bulbs

BUTTERFLY MAGNETS    Anaphalis - Hemerocallis  |  Liatris - Veronicastrum
DAYLILIES      Spider & Unusual Form

EDGERS    Arabis - Iris  |  Nepeta - Veronica

FOLIAGE PERENNIALS     Alchemilla - Tanacetum

HOSTA    Hosta - all

HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY PERENNIALS    Alcea - Salvia

ORANGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Tulipa

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES    Acorus - Imperata |  Miscanthus - Spodiopogon

PINK PERENNIALS    Achillea - Lilium  |  Lychnis - Veronica

PURPLE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Liatris  |  Polemonium - Veronica

RED PERENNIALS    Achillea - Veronica

SHADE PERENNIALS    Aegopodium - Erythronium  |  Ferns - Polemonium  |  Polygonatum - Vinca

SILVER FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Cerastium    |    Cornus - Limonium    |    Lunaria - Veronica

SIMPLY SPECIAL PERENNIALS    Acanthus - Saxifraga

WHITE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Iris  |  Kalimeris - Yucca

YELLOW PERENNIALS    Achillea - Hypericum  |  Inula - Verbascum

VARIEGATED-FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Acorus - Erythronium  |  Hakonechloa - Lysimachia  |  Miscanthus - Yucca

PLANT PROFILES

Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies'  |  Geranium  |  Geum coccineum  |  Kerria japonica  |  Knautia macedonica

Paeonia tenuifolia  |  Papaver somniferum  |  Rudbeckia  |  Salvia 'East Friesland'

Trollius  |  Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

PROPAGATION

DIVISION - SPRING ONLY  |   DIVISION - FALL ONLY  |   DIVISION - SPRING OR FALL  |   DO NOT DIVIDE

FERTILIZATION

BULBS  |   ORNAMENTAL GRASSES  |   PERENNIALS  |   SHRUBS  |   VINES

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