Your garden can be much more than lovely, serene or a place for
family and friends to gather. It can be a bird and butterfly oasis.
Creating this oasis doesn’t take much more than planting the kinds
of plant material that will attract birds and butterflies. To help
get you started plant some of these annuals and perennials that
will woo these critters into your garden.
Your garden can be much more than lovely, serene or a place for family and friends to gather. It can be a bird and butterfly oasis. Creating this oasis doesn’t take much more than planting the kinds of plant material that will attract birds and butterflies. To help get you started plant some of these annuals and perennials that will woo these critters into your garden.
Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored trumpet shaped flowers. Flowering plants and shrubs that provide seeds as well as nectar are a bonus to birds in the fall and winter. Remember that birds need to feel protected before they begin to gather so try centering these plantings near groups of established trees and shrubs. These annuals are attractive to birds and butterflies:
• Impatiens. Red and orange varieties are especially attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
• Lantana provides a good nectar source for butterflies, especially the red and yellow varieties.
• Phlox. Butterflies and hummingbirds take nectar from the white and purple flowers. Other birds feed on the seeds in the fall.
• Zinnias. Flowers provide nectar for butterflies while birds eat the seeds in autumn and winter. Single flowering varieties are best.
For perennials we suggest:
• Agapanthus. Hummingbirds appreciate those iridescent blue trumpets for gathering nectar.
• Basket of Gold. Attracts butterflies for nectar.
• Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Hummingbirds favor the scarlet tubular flowers. Blooms from July to September.
• Columbine. Attracts hummingbirds to the flowers.
• California Fuchsia (Zauschneria). Attracts hummingbirds.
• Lavender. Flowers attract butterflies for nectar.
• Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile). Butterflies take nectar from flowers that bloom from August to September.
• Sweet William (Dianthus). Red, white, rosy purple flowers provide nectar for butterflies.
And don’t forget a birdbath. Your feathered visitors will thank you for the cooling off spot during the long hot summer.
From California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers
