Are you looking to create a vibrant and welcoming space for butterflies in your garden? Look no further than these top 10 butterfly-attracting flowers! From the essential milkweed that fuels monarch caterpillars to colorful late-bloomers that provide a vital food source during migration, this list offers a variety of options to keep your garden buzzing with life. Let’s explore each flower and discover how to create a butterfly haven in your own backyard!

1. Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) – These are the absolute best plants for monarchs. They are the only food source for monarch caterpillars, and adult butterflies love to feed on their nectar. There are many different species of milkweed, so you can find one that will thrive in your climate. Here are some popular milkweed varieties:
   • Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) – This milkweed has pink flowers and is native to eastern North America. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.
   • Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) – This milkweed has bright orange flowers and is a good choice for dry soils.
2. Common Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) – These brightly colored flowers are a favorite of many pollinators, including monarchs. Zinnias are easy to grow from seed and bloom all summer long. They come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple.
3. Lantana (Lantana camara) – This heat- and drought-tolerant plant is a great choice for a butterfly garden. Lantana flowers come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. They are clusters of small flowers that bloom continuously throughout the summer and fall.
4. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) – As the name suggests, butterfly bushes are a magnet for butterflies. These fragrant flowers bloom in late summer and fall and come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, red, and white.
5. Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) – This tall, late-blooming perennial is a favorite of monarchs and other butterflies. Joe Pye Weed prefers full sun and moist soil. It has clusters of tiny purple flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall.
6. Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) – This daisy-like flower blooms in late summer and fall. Sneezeweed is a good choice for a butterfly garden because it provides nectar for butterflies when other flowers are starting to fade. It has yellow daisy-like flowers with a brown center cone.
7. Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.) – Asters are a large group of late-blooming perennials that come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white. They are a great source of nectar for butterflies migrating south in the fall. They have daisy-like flowers with a central disk and radiating petals.
8. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) – Goldenrod is often mistaken for ragweed, but it is a much better choice for a butterfly garden. Goldenrod blooms in late summer and fall and provides a valuable source of nectar for migrating butterflies. It has small yellow flowers in dense clusters.
9. Marshmallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) – This tall perennial has large, showy flowers that are attractive to butterflies. Marshmallow prefers full sun and moist soil. It has large, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and lavender.
10. Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) – Sunflowers are a cheerful addition to any garden, and they also attract butterflies. Sunflowers come in a variety of sizes, so you can find one that will fit your space. They have large, daisy-like flowers with a dark center and bright yellow petals.

These are just a few of the many flowers that attract monarch butterflies. By planting a variety of these flowers in your garden, you can help to create a haven for these beautiful creatures.