Hummingbird & Butterfly Plants

Butterfly on butterfly bush.

Hummingbirds and butterflies are a nice addition to any garden. In order to attract them, you must supply your garden with nectar-producing, colorful plants. Luckily, there are a variety of plants from which to choose, from brightly colored vines to shade loving, neon-colored azaleas. Just be sure you limit the use of pesticides to insecticidal soap, as these chemical can harm and even kill butterflies and hummingbirds.

Characteristics That Attract Hummingbirds and Butterflies

Hummingbird

Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to flowers for the color and nectar, not necessarily the fragrance, so planting brightly colored, nectar-producing plants is essential to any garden where you wish to attract these flying creatures. Butterflies and hummingbirds also require a garden area that is sunny, warm and not too windy.

Shrubs

Azalea

There are several shrubs that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. The butterfly bush is one of the most attractive shrubs for butterflies, hence its name. This shrub also attracts hummingbirds, which come to feast on its copious supply of nectar. Azaleas and rhododendrons can be planted in sunny or shady spots, and the bright neon flowers tend to attract nectar-loving insects and birds to any garden. Mock oranges produce a citrus-like fragrance and white blossoms, which are seemingly irresistible to butterflies and hummingbirds.

If you're looking for an old-fashioned hummingbird and butterfly attractant, try planting lilacs or rose of Sharon in your garden. These plants have been used for two centuries to attract nectar-loving insects and birds.

Vines

Bougainvillea

Trumpet vines are among the most sought after plants for butterflies and hummingbirds. The bright delicate flowers produce great amounts of nectar and tend to grow high up where predators cannot reach. Use care when planting trumpet vines, as they are an invasive plant and can grow through wooden structures with ease. Bougainvillea and lantana are two other brightly colored, nectar-producing vines that hummingbirds and butterflies love to feast upon. Passion-vine not only attracts butterflies, but the caterpillars that turn into butterflies.

Flowers and Bulbs

Hollyhocks Attract Caterpillars and Butterflies

There are several varieties of flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Delphinium, dahlia and foxglove each attract both nectar-loving species by enticing hummingbirds and butterflies with their rich colors and nectar. Hollyhocks and snap dragons provide food not only for butterflies and hummingbirds, but for caterpillars as well.

Bulb plants such as cannas, begonias and irises attract hummingbirds and butterflies with their nectar-rich food supply. They are perennials and will spread and reproduce a little more each year.

Pesticides

Dead Butterflies

The worst action you can take against your butterfly and hummingbird guests is to use aggressive pesticides on your plants. Pesticides will poison the nectar on the plants, thus killing your nectar-loving friends. Even environmentally friendly pesticides such as diatomaceous earth are deadly to butterflies, though this pesticide will not harm birds.

The best solution, if you must use a pesticide, is to use insecticidal soap sparingly.

References

• The Butterfly Website: Butterfly Gardening
• Hamilton County Environmental Services: Butterfly Breathe
• Attracting Hummingbirds: Attracting Hummingbird