| Abelia Bush | Abelia cultivars |
| Asters, such as New England Aster, Smooth Aster, Wood Aster, Calico Aster | Aster novae-angliae, A. laevis, A. divaricatus, A. lateriflorus |
| Bidens or Tickseed-Sunflower | Bidens |
| Blue Mist or Bluebeard Shrub | Caryopteris spp. |
| Butterfly Bush | Buddleia davidii Note: Buddleia is considered invasive in some areas; keep your bush deadheaded to avoid any potential problems |
| Buttonbush | Cephalanthus occidentalis |
| Clover, especially white | Trifolium species |
| Coreopsis or Tickseed | Coreopsis spp. |
| Cosmos (annual) | Cosmos cultivars |
| Goldenrod (Does not cause hayfever) | Solidago spp. |
| Herbs | Many herbs have flowers attractive to butterflies, including chives and mints |
| Joe-Pye Weed | Eupatorium fistulosum, E. maculatum, E. purpureum |
| Lantana | Annuals; good in baskets, containers |
| Marigolds (single or semidouble flowers) | Tagetes; annual |
| Milkweeds Bloodflower, an annual, is especially good |
Asclepias spp.; A. curassavica |
| New York Ironweed | Vernonia noveboracensis |
| Purple Coneflower | Echinacea purpurea |
| Salvias; hardy perennials such as the cultivar 'Blue Hill' | S. nemerosa |
| Speedwells, such as the cultivar 'Sunny Border Blue' | Veronica cultivars, V. longifolia |
| Thistles, especially natives such as Field Thistle | Cirsium spp., C. discolor |
| Verbena species; the annual Verbena bonariensis is especially good | Verbena spp. |
| Wingstem Sunflower | Actinomeris alternifolia |
| Zinnia (single or semidouble flowers preferred) | Zinnia cultivars |
© Washington Area Butterfly Club
Barbara Farron
February 2000
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