No butterfly garden should be without milkweeds! Caterpillars feed on the stems and leaves and colorful butterflies sip the nectar. Great plants for the child's garden, too, with seedpods that open to release dozens of silky seed "parachutes" that sail through the air

6 plants (2 species)

The native sunflowers are a large group of mostly perennial plants with bright yellow blooms that attract butterflies and provide an abundant seed crop favored by finches and other songbirds. Most sunflowers are sun-loving and drought tolerant.

6 plants (2 species)

The vivid blues and purples and dazzling whites of these hardy daisy-like plants provide welcome color in the fall landscape. Asters attract butterflies and make wonderful cut flowers too! this collection is for full sun.

9 plants (3 species)

The tall spikes of the blazing stars were once a common sight in prairies and glades. With colors ranging from delicate pink to deep violet-purple, they steal the show in the summer garden. Butterflies and hummingbirds visit the flowers and songbirds flock to the seeds. The dense spikes make excellent cut and dried flowers with long color retention. You can have blazing stars in flower all summer and into fall by planting several species with staggered blooming periods.

6 plants (2 species)

We love phlox, and we know you will too. These wonderful plants have showy, fragrant flowers in color ranging from blue to rose-violet. There are phlox for sun or shade, from low groundcovers to tall upright forms. Butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers. There are many cultivars on the market, but none rival the casual beauty and hardiness of the natives!

6 plants (2 species) Zone 5-7

The familiar golden yellow flowers of goldenrod lend cheerful color to the autumn landscape. Our state flower, Kentucky has over 30 species of goldenrod! That they cause hay fever is a myth, but they DO provide a late season feast for butterflies and songbirds, and nicely compliment the blues, purples and whites of the native asters! The goldenrod flower clusters come in many shapes, from large and conical to dainty sprays on arching stems. All types make nice cut flowers in fall arrangements.

6 plants (2 species) Zone 4-8