The creation of a thriving butterfly garden is sure to please both gardeners and passersby. Gardeners’ use of annuals, perennials, and flowering shrubs can help to craft a space that is truly unlike any other. While those with large backyards will be able to plan such butterfly gardens most freely, others have found success in the creation of beautiful gardens within a container. Below, we’ll explore some of the most popular butterfly container garden ideas and their implementation.
Preparing Your Potted Butterfly Garden
Before growers can begin their butterfly garden in a pot, there are several things to consider. Most important among these are the types of plants they wish to grow and their cultural requirements. Gardeners should select pots and containers carefully, making sure that each drains well and will allow ample room for root development over the course of the growing season. Containers are then ready to be filled with a high-quality potting mix or medium.
These zinnias are not only show-stoppers with their daisy-like flowers, but they're also a fantastic nectar source, drawing in butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other friendly pollinators.
Choosing the Best Butterfly Plants for Containers
The best plants for a butterfly container garden DIY project are those well-suited to the region. Natives, grown as potted flowers that attract butterflies, are often most popular. Butterflies matter to our gardens as they are important pollinators and we can encourage biodiversity by being mindful of what we plant. This is generally due to their ease of growth and resistance to disease. Ornamental varieties can also be used, provided that each species produces an abundance of nectar. Extended bloom, or succession planting, will also be of great importance. This will allow for continued feeding throughout summer and into fall. Some plants do double-duty because they are loved by butterflies and work as mosquito repellants! Though many larger types of flower can be grown in pots, experienced growers often find the use of compact, dwarf varieties to yield the best results.
1. Alyssum
Blooming in early spring, alyssum is beloved as a butterfly container plant. Fragrant flowers, in shades of white and pink, fill containers quickly with blooms. Growing sweet alyssum is easy and popular with gardeners interested in pollinator gardens. Large, trailing plants are especially attractive when used in hanging baskets or allowed to spill from pots. Though the plant will behave as a short-lived perennial in warmer regions, gardeners most often choose to grow the flower as an annual. Popular varieties of alyssum include ‘Crystal Clear Lavender,’ ‘New Carpet of Snow,’ and ‘North Face.’
2. Celosia
Celosia are renowned for their brilliant color and are an attractive plant for pollinators. Vibrant shades of red, pink, yellow, and orange are equally at-home in butterfly containers. Dwarf varieties grow best, with densely-planted pots making the biggest visual impact. Those growing celosia for the first time can expect large numbers of bees, butterflies, and other species to frequent the plants. Smaller types of celosia, for growth in containers, include ‘Lilliput Kewpie Mix,’ ‘Scarlet Plume,’ and ‘First Flame Mix.’
3. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum plants can play a vital role in the container garden. Late-season blooms, lasting into fall, are of the greatest importance to migrating insects. Though potted chrysanthemum flowers are especially popular in autumn, some may be better suited to use in the pollinator garden than others. Those hoping to grow the flower in pollinator containers should look first for open-pollinated or heirloom varieties for their space. With proper care, chrysanthemums are hardy to USDA zones 5-9.
4. Dianthus
Dianthus plants are prized for their extended bloom. Lasting well throughout summer, growers can expect fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, red, and burgundy. Though taller types are seen most commonly in garden beds, dwarf cultivars can offer both color and beauty to containers. The needs of dianthus plants and their hardiness will vary by species. However, most will perform well in pots. Especially popular types of dianthus include carnations, pinks, and sweet william.
5. Lantana
Lantana plants are popular among gardeners for a variety of reasons. Rich, highly-saturated flower hues serve as a magnet to butterflies, as well as hummingbirds. Plants kept in containers can be grown as an annual, or moved indoors to overwinter. Lantana will grow best in full-sun, where conditions remain warm throughout summer. Perennial plants are hardy to USDA zones 8-11.
6. Marigold
Marigolds are good companion plants, and as an annual bedding plant, they are certain to add a cheerful burst of color to pots and containers. Their ease of growth and extended bloom further lend to their beauty. As an annual, marigold flowers grow quickly from seed, allowing gardeners to fill their space at only minimal cost. Common varieties of marigold include ‘Marvel,’ ‘Yummy Mummy,’ and ‘Savannah.’
7. Snapdragon
A short-lived perennial, many find snapdragons a wonderful addition to butterfly container gardens. Flower spikes grow quickly to fill pots, serving as an especially attractive focal flower. Their cut-and-come-again habit further helps to extend the plant’s bloom period and entice pollinators. Several double blossom snapdragon varieties, known as double azalea snapdragons, have become available. These include the “Madame Butterfly” and “Double Azalea Apricot” varieties. Snapdragons are hardy to USDA zones 7-10.
8. Zinnia
Cherished for their ease of growth and dependability, zinnia flowers will dazzle just as well when grown in containers. Though taller varieties are likely much too large, newer dwarf introductions are certain to leave a lasting impression among growers. Popular varieties of zinnia for use in pots include ‘Preciosa Pink,’ ‘Magellan Mix,’ and ‘Short Stuff Mix.’
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