Top 10 Gorgeous Spring Flowers to Attract Butterflies

8. Salvia: A Butterfly Magnet That Keeps on Blooming

A photo of a Salvia plant with purple flowers in full bloom. The plant has spiky leaves and is in a pot. There are butterflies resting on the flowers. The background is a wooden trellis. The photo has a warm hue.

Let me tell you about my love affair with Salvia, one of the most rewarding plants I’ve ever grown in my butterfly garden. After 15 years of gardening, I can confidently say that these spectacular spiky bloomers are absolute butterfly magnets!

Why Salvias Are Garden Superstars

I’ll never forget the first time I planted Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha) in my front yard. Within just a few weeks, it had transformed from a modest plant into this stunning purple powerhouse that had butterflies literally lining up for a sip! The best part? These hardy perennials just keep on giving, with some varieties blooming from spring straight through to the first frost.

Best Salvia Varieties for Butterflies

Through lots of trial and error (and yes, some epic failures), I’ve discovered that certain varieties are particularly irresistible to our winged friends:

Black and Blue Salvia (Salvia guaranitica): My absolute top performer for attracting swallowtail butterflies
Hot Lips Salvia (Salvia microphylla): Those bicolor red and white blooms are like tiny beacons for butterflies
May Night Salvia (Salvia x sylvestris): Perfect for smaller gardens with its compact growth
Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans): A late-season superstar that brings in both butterflies and hummingbirds

Maintenance Tips That Actually Work

Here’s something I learned the hard way – Salvias aren’t completely “plant it and forget it” perennials, but they’re pretty close! The key to success is proper pruning (trust me, I killed a few plants before figuring this out).

To keep your Salvias blooming their hearts out:

Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly – I do this while having my morning coffee
Perform a hard pruning mid-season (usually around July) by cutting back by about 1/3
Ensure good air circulation between plants to prevent powdery mildew
Water deeply but infrequently – these plants hate wet feet!

The Secret to Continuous Blooms

Want to know my favorite trick for endless blooms? I stagger my pruning schedule! Instead of cutting back all my Salvias at once, I do it in sections about two weeks apart. This way, I always have some plants in full bloom while others are regenerating. It’s like having a continuous butterfly buffet!

Remember to give these beauties full sun and well-draining soil. I once planted some in a shady, wet spot (rookie mistake!) and watched them struggle all season. They’re drought-tolerant once established, which makes them perfect for those of us who occasionally forget to water.

Ready to discover another butterfly-attracting superstar? Click the next button below to learn about Verbena, a low-growing beauty that’s perfect for garden edges and containers. I’ve got some amazing tips about how to make it spread like a gorgeous flowering carpet across your garden!