Building a Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden: Plants and Features to Attract Pollinators During the Summer

Transforming your garden into a haven for butterflies and hummingbirds is a delightful way to bring nature’s beauty into your outdoor space while supporting these vital pollinators. With thoughtful plant choices and garden features, you can create an environment that attracts these colorful visitors all summer long. Here’s how to get started.

1. Choose Nectar-Rich Plants

The foundation of a successful butterfly and hummingbird garden is a selection of plants that offer ample nectar. By choosing a variety of blooms, you can ensure your garden is a vibrant spot for pollinators throughout the season.

Milkweed (Asclepias spp.): Monarch butterflies rely on milkweed for both nectar and as a host plant for their caterpillars. Including milkweed in your garden is essential for supporting this iconic species.
Bee Balm (Monarda spp.): Bee balm’s showy red, pink, or purple flowers are a favorite for both hummingbirds and butterflies. Its extended bloom period provides a consistent nectar source.
Salvia (Salvia spp.): Salvia’s tubular flowers are perfect for hummingbirds. Varieties like ‘Hot Lips’ and ‘Black and Blue’ add striking color and are particularly attractive to these tiny birds.
Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.): These hardy perennials not only bring bright color to your garden but also attract butterflies and provide seeds for birds in the fall.
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.): As its name suggests, the butterfly bush is irresistible to butterflies. Its fragrant, cone-shaped flowers bloom continuously, ensuring a steady supply of nectar.
Lantana (Lantana camara): Lantana’s vibrant, multi-colored flowers are a hit with both butterflies and hummingbirds. This plant thrives in hot, sunny spots and adds a tropical flair to your garden.

2. Provide Water Sources

Water is essential for butterflies and hummingbirds, but they prefer it in accessible forms. Shallow puddles, damp sand, or birdbaths with stones for butterflies to land on are excellent choices. Hummingbirds appreciate misters or shallow fountains where they can bathe and drink.

3. Incorporate Shelter and Nesting Sites

Butterflies need shelter from wind and predators, as well as safe spaces to lay their eggs. Include shrubs, tall grasses, and small trees in your garden to provide these essential shelters. Hummingbirds may choose to nest in small trees or shrubs, and adding a hummingbird house can encourage them to stay in your garden.

4. Use Organic Gardening Practices

Avoid using pesticides in your butterfly and hummingbird garden. Pesticides can harm these and other beneficial insects. Instead, create a balanced ecosystem in your garden where natural predators, like ladybugs and birds, help control pests. If necessary, choose organic pesticides and apply them carefully to minimize harm.

5. Add Perches and Feeders

Hummingbirds need places to rest between feedings. Consider placing thin branches or decorative perches near your flowering plants. You can also offer a hummingbird feeder with a simple sugar-water solution (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) to supplement their diet. Remember to clean the feeder regularly to prevent mold or bacteria.

6. Plan for Continuous Bloom

To keep your garden lively all summer, plan for a succession of blooms. Choose plants that flower at different times, ensuring there’s always something in bloom to attract and nourish your pollinators.

7. Incorporate Host Plants for Caterpillars

Supporting the lifecycle of butterflies means including host plants for caterpillars. Plants like parsley, dill, and fennel are ideal for swallowtail butterflies. Watching caterpillars grow and transform into butterflies adds an engaging dynamic to your garden.

By incorporating these elements, you’ll create a thriving butterfly and hummingbird garden that adds life and color to your outdoor space. Not only will you enjoy the beauty of these creatures, but you’ll also be contributing to the health of your local ecosystem.

Happy gardening from the team at Bru-Mar Gardens!