Monarchs-And-Milkweed.com
(Rose Franklin's Perennials)

     Butterfly gardening involves essentially two things: (1) planting the perennials and annuals which attract butterflies (both for nectaring and egg-laying) and then (2) refraining from the use of chemical insecticides (which would likely kill the butterflies you attract). For best results, plant your butterfly garden in full sun and plant the tallest flowers behind the shorter ones--so you'll be able to see all the flowers and butterflies that appear in your garden.
     While some flowering plants, like Butterfly Bush and Purple Coneflower, attract a lot of butterfly species for nectar, others attract none or maybe just a few butterfly species. Monarchs are especially fond of the nectar produced by Butterfly Bush, Purple Coneflower, Meadow Blazing Star, Joe-Pye Weed, Brazilian Verbena, and Mexican Sunflower. These plants are pictured and described below. For 20 years we offered these plants to our customers but as of 2020, now in semi-retirement, we will be offering only milkweed plants (the host plant for Monarchs) and a few plants that serve as hosts for other butterfly species. Whatever plants we offer, you'll find them on the 'Milkweed Plants' page of the web site. None of the plants show below though, will be available through our web site.

'Buzz Velvet' Butterfly Bush usually grows to about 5' high and produces magenta flower spikes from mid July thru frost. It's a magnet for many butterfly species and also hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, and other pollinators.


Perennial, zones 5-9.      $10.00 each      

'Buzz Sky Blue' Butterfly Bush grows 3' to 4' high and produces lavender-blue flower spikes from mid July thru frost. It's a magnet for many butterfly species and also hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, and other pollinators.


Perennial, zones 5-9.      $10.00 each       

'Sombrero' Coneflower grows 18" - 24" high and produces bright colored daisy-like flowers mid July thru September.  Easy to grow in full sun or part shade and a generally a long-lived perennial. Flower colors include red, orange, peach, lavender, yellow, and white. Sorry, no choice of flower color.


Perennial, zones 4-9.     $9.00 each 

'Caradonna' Sage grows 24" - 28" high, produces deep blue-violet flower spikes, and blooms late May thru late August so long as you remove spent flowers once a month or so.  Easy to grow in full sun or part shade and generally a long-lived perennial. 


Perennial, zones 4-8.     $9.00 each

Also known as Short-Tooth Mountain Mint, this plant is a must for beekeepers. Many species of bees flock to this plant when it is in bloom. It blooms late July thru August and grows 24" - 30" high. Easy to grow. Full sun or part shade.


Perennial, zones 5-9.     $9.00 each       (shipped as field grown clump, not in a pot)

Mexican Sunflower grows 36"-60" high (depending upon the cultivar and growing conditions) and produces large orange diasy-like flowers from around mid July thru frost. Butterflies, especially Monarchs, are lured to this plant for the tasty nectar produced in the flowers. Mexican Sunflower is an annual and thus, must be replanted every year. Save the seeds so you can start your own plants next year.  Deer resistant.

Annual     $7.00 each         Should be ready for shipping by late May. Please check back then.

Plants that attract hummingbirds:

'Starship Rose' Lobelia grows 20" - 24" high and produces deep pink flower spikes mid July thru August.  Easy to grow and a generally a long-lived perennial. A hummer favorite.


Perennial, zones 6-9.     $9.00 each       

'Jacob Cline' Beebalm grows 30" - 36" high and flowers late June thru July.  Easy to grow and a generally a long-lived perennial. A hummer favorite.


Perennial, zones 4-9.     $9.00 each

Hardy Hibiscus matures at about 4' high and 4'wide. It produces lots of huge, showy flowers and blooms late July thru frost. Easy to grow and generally a long-lived perennial. A hummer favorite.

We expect most of our plants to produce red flowers as the seed was gathered from an area where there are only red ones growing. Some could produce white or pink flowers though. Sorry, no choice of flower color.


Perennial, zones 5-9.     $9.00 each     

Milkweed (Asclepias) also produces a sweet nectar which lures Monarchs (and other butterflies also) to the garden for feeding. You'll find the milkweed species we offer on our 'milkweed plants' page.

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