One of the best things about living in such a warm climate is that we see wildlife all year. There’s hardly ever a cool season, making it especially easy to see beautiful creatures and flowers year round. Butterflies in particular love flowers and certain ones attract these gorgeous winged insects with ease. If you’re looking to see more of them in your yard, try planting these flowers to attract them.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) – As the name suggests, butterflies love these fast-growing bushes. They’re low-maintenance but tend to overtake some areas so be sure to prune when necessary.
Coneflower (Echinacea) – These colorful additions are wildly popular with butterflies. They add a touch of color to low perennial beds and attract pollinators easily.
Lantana – These shrubs flower beautifully and attract butterflies to their flashy blooms. As an added bonus, they tolerate heat well, making them a perfect plant for our South Georgia climate.
Gayfeather (Liatris spicata) – This tall flowering plant is ideal for butterflies. They bloom in the late summer/early fall and are usually purple or white.
Lavender – This beautiful tall perennial is great for butterflies and gives off a sweet scent. They’re drought-resistant and can handle the heat, making them another great choice for the Swainsboro area.
Milkweed – Milkweed is the sole food source for monarch caterpillars and is a favorite among adult monarchs and other butterfly species. There are many varieties including Butterfly Weed, which is low-maintenance and drought-resistant.
Chocolate Cosmos ( Cosmos atrosanguineus) – These dark maroon flowers will be a great addition to your garden because they smell like chocolate. The sweet smell will attract insects to this plant.
Hollyhocks – These large blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Sunflowers – Everyone loves sunflowers, including bees and butterflies. Their open center makes it easy for these insects to extract nectar.
Plant a variety of these options in your backyard to create a butterfly sanctuary. Be sure to have a seating area ready for those fall days of butterfly gazing!
