Our list of plants that attract butterflies is obviously not exhaustive, its purpose being to get you started on your hunt for the perfect blooms. However, it’s important to note that this plant is poisonous to both dogs and cats. For example, the fact that red-hot poker’s flower has a spiky form makes it useful in landscape design. Juxtapose its flower spikes to something with a softer form to create a contrast. A related specimen that is another plant that attracts butterflies is the better-known ‘Autumn Joy’ sedum. As its name suggests, this sedum (or “stonecrop”) comes into its own in fall. Viburnum shrubs are host plants for the caterpillars of spring azure blues. One example is Korean spice viburnum, which puts out fragrant flowers in spring, then generously offers colorful fall foliage in autumn, to boot. Another example is arrowwood viburnum. Or are you interested in something with pretty berries? You’ll get that in spades with beautyberry shrubs. Not only are the berries of Callicarpa dichotoma ‘Early Amethyst’ numerous, but they also come in an unusual color: purple. Regardless of the camp into which you fall, know that these dainty little wildflowers are plants that attract butterflies (does this influence your opinion of them?). The foregoing is only a brief sampling of the plants that attract butterflies. There are many other plants that attract butterflies.
