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13 Flowers That Attract Butterflies and Dragonflies (ID Pictures)

Butterflies and dragonflies are beautiful flying insects that can add a touch of magic to any garden. In addition, you can plant certain flowers that make butterflies and dragonflies feel welcomed.

Butterflies and dragonflies are attracted to brightly-colored flowers with plenty of nectar. They are also attracted to flowers with a strong scent.

So, when choosing flowers to attract these insects, look for colorful and fragrant varieties. In this article, we’ll give you a list of flowers to attract butterflies and dragonflies.

13 Flowers that attract butterflies and dragonflies

1. Black-eyed Susan

Black eyed susan flowers
Black eyed susan flowers | image by John Wisniewski via Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0

The Black-eyed Susan has a bright yellow or orange center with a black dot in the middle. The petals of this flower are also yellow or orange.

This flower blooms from early summer to fall. During this time, butterflies and dragonflies are attracted to the flower’s nectar. The black-eyed Susan is an important food source for these insects.

2. Milkweed

Group of milkweed
Group of milkweed | image by Salim Virji via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Milkweed is a flower that is very attractive to butterflies and dragonflies. The flowers are pink or white, and they have a sweet fragrance. Common milkweed is a staple food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars.

The caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed until they reach their chrysalis stage. Swamp milkweed grows in swampy meadows or along the edges of ponds. Butterflies and dragonflies are attracted to swamp milkweed because of the nectar that the flowers produce.

3. Joe-Pye Weed

Joe-pye weed
A joe-pye weed | image by Wendell Smith via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Joe-pye weed is a beautiful flower that attracts both butterflies and dragonflies. This weed is a tall, slender plant that can grow up to eight feet tall. The flowers are white or pink and have a sweet fragrance.

Joe-pye weed is native to North America and can be found in meadows, fields, and along roadsides. If you want to attract butterflies and dragonflies to your garden, consider planting some Joe-pye weed! The flowers add a touch of color, and the plants are easy to care for.

4. Arrowhead

Arrowhead flowers
An arrowhead flowers | image by Joshua Mayer via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Arrowhead flowers are a beautiful addition to any garden and attract butterflies and dragonflies. These flowers are native to North America. They get their name from their arrow-shaped leaves.

Arrowhead flowers bloom in various colors, including white, pink, and purple. As a result, they attract a variety of butterflies and dragonflies.

If you want to add more color to your garden, then planting some arrowhead flowers is a great way to do it. These flowers are also very easy to take care of.

5. Water Lily

Water lily
Water lily | Image by G.C. from Pixabay

This beautiful flower is eye-catching and provides a landing pad and drinking water for butterflies and dragonflies. Water lilies come in colors like white, pink, and purple. They are native to warm climates but can also be found in temperate zones.

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Water lilies typically grow in ponds and marshy areas. Butterflies and dragonflies are attracted to water lilies because of their color and the fact that they provide a landing pad and water for drinking.

6. Wild Celery

Wild celery
A wild celery | image by Theo Crazzolara via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Wild celery is a great choice if you’re looking to attract butterflies and dragonflies to your garden. This native North American flower is a favorite food of butterflies and dragonflies. Wild celery is also a nectar source for bees, making it a great addition to any garden that’s trying to attract pollinators.

7. Meadow Sage

Meadow sage flower
A meadow sage flower | image by Björn S… via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Meadow sage is a beautiful flower that attracts butterflies and dragonflies and helps keep them safe. Meadow sage is a nectar plant. This means that it produces a sweet liquid that attracts butterflies and dragonflies.

Meadow sage also produces a chemical called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. This chemical helps to protect butterflies and dragonflies from predators.

8. Yarrow

Yarrow flower
Yarrow flower | image by Peter Stenzel via Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0

If you’re looking to attract some beautiful butterflies and dragonflies to your garden, then consider planting yarrow. Yarrow is a flowering plant that is very attractive to these flying insects.

Yarrow comes in various colors: white, yellow, pink, and purple. Planting a mix of different colors will give you the best chance of attracting both butterflies and dragonflies.

Butterflies and dragonflies are attracted to the nectar in yarrow flowers. They will also lay their eggs on the leaves of yarrow plants.

9. Borage

Borage flower
A borage flower | image by Peter Stenzel via Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0

Borage is a beautiful flower that not only attracts butterflies but dragonflies as well. This makes it a perfect addition to any garden!

Borage leaves are large and hairy, and the flowers are blue or purple. The nectar is a great food source for dragonflies and butterflies. The flowers also provide a place for them to lay their eggs.

10. Coneflowers

Coneflower
A coneflower | image by christina rutz via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Coneflowers are beautiful flowers that attract butterflies and dragonflies. This flower comes in two varieties and is native to North America and grows in meadows, woods, and prairies. The sweet coneflower gets its name from its sweet-smelling flowers.

These flowers are pink, purple, or white and have a large cone-shaped center. Giant coneflowers are larger. This flower is easy to grow. It prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade.

Coneflowers are drought-tolerant and do not need a lot of water. The sweet or giant coneflower is a beautiful addition to any garden. Its large flowers are sure to attract butterflies and dragonflies all summer long!

11. Lantana

Lantana flowers
A lantana flowers | image by Cheryl Dillow via Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0

Lantana is a tropical plant that is native to the Americas. The flowers of this plant are very popular with butterflies and dragonflies. These flowers are usually red, orange, or yellow.

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They have a sweet smell that attracts butterflies and dragonflies. The flowers are also a good source of nectar for these insects. Lantana plants can be found in tropical regions all over the world.

They can also be grown in pots and brought indoors in colder climates. If you want to attract butterflies and dragonflies to your garden, consider planting some lantana flowers.

12. Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush on sidewalk
Butterfly bush on sidewalk | Image by Alicja from Pixabay

The butterfly bush is popular for those who want to attract butterflies and dragonflies to their garden. The plant gets its name because it is a favorite food source for butterflies. The flowers are also beautiful to dragonflies.

In addition to being a food source, the butterfly bush provides shelter and nesting sites for these insects. The flowers are typically purple, but they can also be white, pink, or even yellow. The flowering period of the butterfly bush extends from late summer into fall.

13. Phlox

Phlox flowers
The phlox flowers | image by Andy Melton via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Phlox are beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colors. They are very popular with butterflies and dragonflies. The flowers of the phlox plant are very nectar-rich.

This makes them an excellent food source for butterflies and dragonflies. The brightly colored petals of phlox flowers also make them attractive to these insects. They can be planted in the garden or containers, and the flowers bloom from late spring to early summer.