Plants for a Bee and Butterfly Garden
Zone Info: For those who would like to know if these plants will grow in your zone, we have listed zone info on all of our plants at our Zone Info Page, plus links to a "Zone Locator" and a USDA Zone Map.
Plants for attracting Bees and Butterflies
Every gardener should do their part to encourage bees and butterflies to visit their garden. We have listed a few flowers below that are recognized as bee and butterfly favorites.:
BEES
H550 Medico Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa )
Alfalfa produces a large amount of nectar, which is highly attractive to many species of
bees, and from which honey bees produce excellent crops of high quality honey.
This strain of alfalfa can be made into a tea by placing two teaspoons of dried leaves in a
cup of boiling water and soaking for 15 minutes. This tea is used to treat arthritis, boils,
digestive disorders, urinary tract infections and bowel disorders. The chlorophyll in this
brew will also dispatch of bad breath. Eating the sprouts in salads is also very beneficial.
Small pack. $1.95
H725 Red Clover ( Trifolium pratense )
Clover is highly attractive to bees, which visit it avidly for nectar and pollen.
Red Clover has long had a reputation as a cancer fighter. The plant contains large amounts
of tocopherol, a potent antioxidant form of vitamin E that has been shown to prevent
tumor formation in animal studies. It may also provide effective relief for menopausal
symptoms as elements of the plant behave like estrogen. A tea can be made by boiling
three teaspoons of dried flower tops per cup of water and steeping 15 minutes. Drink 3
cups a day.
Small Pack $1.95
2227C PURPLE HORSE MINT ( MONARDA CITRIODORA )
A hardy annual with deep purple to lavender blooms. Flowers are arranged in whorls stair-
stepping up a single stem. Attracts bees and hummingbirds.
25 seeds $1.75
GO72 MOSQUITO PLANT ( AGASTACHE CANA )
This hardy perennial will provide you with sweetly scented foliage and large 1" rosy-
purple flowers. It attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The crushed foliage rubbed
on the skin is said to repel mosquitoes.
10 seeds $2.00
FL110 PURPLE HEADED GOMPHRENA
Easy to grow plants that tolerate almost all types of weather. Beautiful ball shaped plants
that bear large heads of purple flowers all season. A favorite of bees and butterflies.
20 seeds $1.95
H883 Vitex ( Vitex negundo )
A magnificent garden plant, it blooms profusely all summer attracting bees and butterflies.
The plants can achieve a height of 10 ft. or more. Plants are used medicinally to relieve
headaches, dizziness, colds and mental problems.
10 seeds $2.00
HR370 BORAGE ( BORAGE OFFICINALIS )
Cucumber flavored leaves used in salads and summer drinks. Good bee plant.
50 seeds $1.75
HR229 THYME, ENGLISH ( THYMUS VULGARIS )
Seasoning for poultry chowders, stews, sauces and pickles. Good honey plant for bees.
50-75 seeds $1.75
HR167 LEMON MINT ( MONARDA CITRIODORA )
Lemon scented foliage and blooms attracts bees and butterflies. The oils of the plant have
been used to dress wounds.
35 seeds $1.75
HR105 BALM, LEMON ( MELISSA OFFICINALIS )
Lemon scented leaves and sprigs used to make teas and cool drinks. Good for potpourri
and the flowers attract bees.
25 seeds $1.75
BUTTERFLIES
NP630 Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa )
A hardy perennial growing to about 2 ft. tall with a profusion of flowers that attracts
butterflies of all types. At any given time you may see species of Monarch, Red Admiral,
Painted Lady, Cabbage White, Gray Hairstreak, Western Swallowtail, and many others
feeding on this plant.
40 seeds $3.50
H550 Medico Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa )
Alfalfa produces a large amount of nectar, which is highly attractive to many species of
butterflies, including the Orange Sulphur, Eastern Black Swallowtail and many others.
Small pack. $1.95
FL140 ASTER CUTFLOWER MIX
Asters are a good nectar source that attracts the Common Sulphur, Red Admiral,
Checkered White, Buckeye, Question Mark, Painted Lady and many others.
A mixture of Apricot, pink, scarlet, blue, yellow, white and salmon flowers that are perfect
for cutflowers. Four inch. double flowers on a very sturdy stem growing to 30 inches tall.
Highly resistant to wilt.
About 30 seeds to a pack, $1.95
8524 PURPLE PASSION FLOWER ( PASSIFLORA )
Seems to be a favorite nectar source of the Gulf Fritillary, but draws many others also.
A vigorous growing vine to 20 ft. or more bearing the famous "Passion Flower" known
worldwide. Easy to grow.
5 seeds $2.00
2208CD LONG STEMMED BLACK EYED SUSANS ( RUDBECKIA ASTERACEAE )
Black Eyed Susans seem to attract the Great Spangled Fritillary better than any other
flower. This is just an observation, not a documented fact. They are a good nectar source
for many species. This variety of Black Eyed Susans is particularly well suited for cut
flowers. Vase life is 6-10 days.
25 seeds $1.75
7911 BUTTERFLY BUSH ( BUDDLEFA )
Often visited by Pipevine Swallowtail, Anise Swallowtail, Tiger Swallowtails, Painted
Lady, Monarchs and many other varieties. A vigorous, deciduous bush with long closely
packed, very fragrant, lilac to purple flowers. The nectarine filled flowers will attract
butterflies constantly. Mostly used in a garden setting. The fragrant flowers make great
potpourri fixings.
25 seeds, $1.95
FS445 DWARF BLUE BUTTERFLY DELPHINIUM.
One of the most compact varieties of Delphinium to be found. Simply loaded with
dazzling blue flowers up to 1+ inches across. Butterflies cannot resist them!
25 seeds $1.85
FL105 DEEP PINK ALYSSUM
Butterflies love this beautiful plant with its loads of pure pink flowers. Grows only 4
inches tall and will bloom throughout the summer. Seeds germinate in about a week. Sow
seeds on surface as they need light to germinate.
About 50 seeds to a pack, $1.95
FL115 SULPHUR STRAWFLOWER ( HELICHRYSUM )
A fast grower to 30 in. or more with pastel sulphur-yellow flowers tinged silver. Also
makes excellent cut or dried flowers. Sow seeds on surface.
40 seeds $1.95
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