In addition to color and fragrance, flower shape is very important in determining butterfly use. For example, the short-tubed flowers of lantana, phlox, blazing star, and verbena have nectaries that are at the base of the tube and are readily available to butterflies. Most butterfly-pollinated plants also have many flowers in a flat-topped cluster or have a large landing platform (i.e., large petals) such as purple cone flower, Joe Pye weed, tithonia, and butterfly weed. Furthermore, each of the individual flowers often has a narrow entrance to keep bees and other insects out.
The ideal butterfly flower would have:
• small, short-tubed flowers with wide, flat rims
• clustered flowers, and
• many clusters per plant.
Butterfly gardens should receive full sun for at least six hours each day. The garden should include a water source for the butterflies and dark rocks on which the butterflies can warm themselves.
