Deciding on the best plants for a butterfly garden is about several key gardening considerations above and beyond floral selections. Knowing how to attract butterflies is just a part of the process. You also need to think about making sure that eggs and caterpillars (as well as pollinating adults) can be safely nurtured in the environment you wish to cultivate. Plan your garden to look great while providing as many butterfly-friendly features as possible. You want a place that will feel hospitable for pollinators and keep them coming back for more.
Stop mowing part of the lawn to allow grasses and wildflowers such as clover, bird’s foot trefoil, knapweeds and selfheal to provide nectar and caterpillar food. This will require cutting – but never all in one go, as there could be eggs, caterpillars, pupae or resting adults. Find an old stump or shed where ivy can grow without causing trouble. Mature ‘arboreal’ growth provides shelter and food. Plant a herb garden, as many will bear nectar-rich flowers. Herbaceous plants are great for butterflies, but when it comes to the best plants for pollinators stick to simple, open flower structures rather than complex doubles. Aim for nectar-rich butterfly garden plants from late winter to late fall.