Themed plant discovery
Butterfly Garden Plants
Explore pollinator-friendly plants that help bring more nectar, movement, and seasonal color into the garden.
Use these plants to create a butterfly-friendly planting mix with repeat bloom, easy feeding stations, and habitat value.
305037 plants found
Featured plants
24
Shrub
European Gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa subsp. reclinatum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Spring crocus
Crocus vernus
Iridaceae
Full Sun
Low
Zone 3–8
0.1–0.2m
Blooms: Feb, Mar, Apr
Shrub
Hortensia
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangeaceae
Partial Shade
High
Zone 5–9
1–2m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Tree
Caucasian alder
Alnus subcordata
Betulaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 7–10
10–20m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Red-osier dogwood
Cornus sericea
Cornaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 3–8
1.5–3m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul
Tree
Linden
Tilia cordata
Malvaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–7
15–20m
Blooms: Jul
Perennial
Garden phlox
Phlox paniculata
Polemoniaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 3–9
0.6–1.2m
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sep
Perennial
Coralbells
Heuchera sanguinea
Saxifragaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
0.3–0.6m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Tree
Mazzard cherry
Prunus avium
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
10–15m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Falsequina nightshade
Solanum pseudoquina
Solanaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 7–10
1.5–3m
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sep
Perennial
Packera
Packera anonyma
Asteraceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
0.3–1m
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Tree
European chestnut
Castanea sativa
Fagaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 5–8
15–30m
Blooms: Jun, Jul
Shrub
Watson's Plum
Prunus watsonii
Rosaceae
Full Sun
Low
Zone 4–8
1.5–3m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
European Gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa var. sativum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
1–1.5m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Evergreen
Caucasian boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
Buxaceae
Partial Shade
Low
Zone 5–8
1–2m
Blooms: Mar, Apr
Annual
Lettuce
Lactuca × dichotoma
Asteraceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 3–10
0.2–0.5m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Shrub
Pacific serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Rosaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 2–7
1.5–4m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Currant
Ribes chihuahuense
Grossulariaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 5–8
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Tree
Cut-leaf crab apple
Malus toringoides
Rosaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 4–8
4–6m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Onoe's rose
Rosa onoei
Rosaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 4–9
1–2m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Tree
Pin Cherry
Prunus pensylvanica var. saximontana
Rosaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 2–7
4–10m
Blooms: May, Jun
Shrub
Reeve's spiraea
Spiraea cantoniensis
Rosaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 5–9
1–2m
Blooms: May, Jun
Tree
Crown-leaved Crabapple
Malus coronarifolia
Rosaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 4–8
4–6m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Dense-flower mullein
Verbascum densiflorum
Scrophulariaceae
Full Sun
Medium
Zone 4–8
1–2m
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sep
Why this theme works
Butterfly planting is strongest when you combine nectar-rich bloom with a long flowering window and a range of heights. These plants make that mix easier to build.
FAQ
What belongs in a butterfly garden?
Start with plants that match the core site conditions for a butterfly garden, then layer in foliage, structure, and bloom for a longer season.
How do I plan a butterfly garden?
Choose the right site conditions first, shortlist plants that fit them, and sketch the mix in Plantory before you buy anything.
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