Top 10 Gorgeous Spring Flowers to Attract Butterflies

9. Verbena: A Garden Edge Superstar

A photo of a garden with verbena plants along the edge. The verbena plants are in full bloom, with purple flowers. The plants are cascading over the edge of a stone path. There are also other plants in the garden, including lantana, salvia, and a butterfly bush. The background contains a fence and trees.

Let me tell you about one of my absolute favorite butterfly-attracting plants – verbena! After 15 years of gardening, I’ve learned that this little powerhouse is truly a game-changer for any butterfly garden.

The Spreading Magic of Verbena

You know what’s amazing about verbena? Its incredible spreading habit! I remember the first time I planted just three small verbena plants along my pathway. By the end of the season, they had created this stunning purple carpet that had all my neighbors asking for gardening advice. The low-growing nature of verbena makes it perfect for those tricky spots where you want both ground coverage and flowers.

Container and Edge Planting Success

Here’s a pro tip I learned the hard way: verbena absolutely shines in containers and along garden edges. I once tried cramming them into the middle of my garden bed – big mistake! These beauties need room to spread and cascade. Now I use them in my hanging baskets and along my garden borders, where they can really show off their trailing habit.

Heat and Drought Resistance

Let me tell you about the summer of 2019 – it was an absolute scorcher! While my other plants were wilting faster than a chocolate bar in the sun, my verbena kept blooming like it was no big deal. These plants are incredibly resilient to both heat and drought, making them perfect for those hot, sunny spots where other flowers just can’t hack it.

Color Combinations That Pop

When it comes to color varieties, verbena is like having an artist’s palette at your disposal. I’ve experimented with dozens of combinations, but my absolute favorite is mixing:

Deep purple verbena with yellow lantana
White verbena with deep blue salvia
Pink verbena with silver-leaved plants
Red verbena with purple butterfly bush

Overwintering Tips for Success

Now, let’s talk about keeping these beauties coming back year after year. I used to lose my verbena every winter until I figured out these crucial steps:

Cut back the plants by 1/3 in late fall
Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base
Ensure good drainage before winter sets in
Remove any dead foliage to prevent disease
Wait until spring to remove winter protection

The key to successful overwintering is patience – don’t rush to declare your verbena dead in early spring. These plants are often slow to emerge, but once they do, they grow quickly.

Ready to discover another amazing butterfly-attracting flower? Click the next button below to learn about Asters, the late-season butterfly magnets that will keep your garden buzzing with activity right through the fall. Wait until you hear about the incredible variety of colors and heights available – you won’t want to miss this!