This native aster, with purple flowers, attracts fall butterflies such as skippers and red admirals. It spreads aggressively, which is why you only need to buy one. It gets quite tall, so plant it near but in front of the Joe Pye weed. If you can't find the native aster, try one of the non native varieties. This native wildflower has golden flowering plumes.
Shorter cultivars are available, but wild versions are preferable to butterflies.
If you can't find goldenrod, try Coreopsis instead. It also has bright yellow flowers, though they won't be the same shape. It spreads, so you need only one. 4. Native to the Midwestern plains, this three to four foot plant has purple flowers with golden con-shaped center, blooming midsummer to fall. With broad, flat-topped flower heads of pink fading to bronze flowers, this plant reliably attracts fall butterflies and is also a big hit with bumblebees.