Planning a butterfly garden in a city park near a playground. I can only think of salvia greggi and columbine that are green(ish) in winter. Would love suggestions that are less than 4 feet high and preferably native.It is sun and part sun.
butterly plants that are evergreen?
Does Red Quince attract butterflies?
Banana---check this out. I have this green Santolina in my garden and it is showy 12 months of the year. Butterflies too. Also available in gray, but I like the green better.
It is these 3 little mounds (look like a pine bush) in the middle of this picture. This was 2013. This year they have filled the entire space where the dirt is. I cut them down to about 4 inches last winter so they wouldn't get woody. Here's a link with info.
http://www.naturesherbfarm.com/nhf1_146.htm
The only Texas Evergreen the I can think of is Texas Sage, Leucophyllum frutescens
but it doesn't bloom in winter, but anyway the butterflies will not be active at that time.
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LEFR3
Thank you for your suggestions. I love santolina smell.
What do you like/dislike about Texas sage?
How about Heart leaf skullcap?
What is your opinion on butterfly weed reseeding? Is it reliable? I kept my plants in the garage like you suggested ,Jo and had just one pop up elsewhere
They reseed very well for me, and Heartleaf Skullcap would be good too.
has anyone got butterfly weed seeds or a source? (I'll echo everything above, but none bloom in winter that I know of
I am not looking for ones that bloom in winter, but just stay green.
bananna18
My MONARDA stay evergreen. In my opinion is a fantastic plant.
It is in the "mint" family ... so it will spread, but it is easy to control.
Its blooms attract the butterflies and tons of bees (but it is not a "hosting" plant". Then the main stalks dye and little leaves will come up from the ground and stay green even in our "cold" winter.
thank you for reminding me I have a monarda, and it is alive. I need to divide it this year, could maybe share some at roundup
Thanks drthor. I have monarda too, I didn't even remember that....although you seem to able to grow things in ways that others can't!