Attracting Birds and Butterflies in Philadelphia

by Donna
(Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania)

Donna's Favorites

My zone6/7 Mid-Atlantic, Delaware Valley garden is filled with native plants. The garden is always alive with the buzzing of bees, fluttering of butterflies and calls of birds. Here are my high performers for attracting bees and butterflies.

1. Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
A big hit with the bees, flies and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies. I like the tall billowy flower heads that sway in the breeze.


2. Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Monarch butterflies visit this flower throughout summer.

3. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Bee magnet.

4. Sedum 'Autumn Joy'
These are popular with bees and butterflies in the autumn.

5. New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) these bloom in late summer and through the fall and are visited by butterflies and bees.

6. Zinnias - these native Mexican annuals are a big favorite of butterflies.

7. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)- the orange blossoms open throughout the summer and draw Monarch butterflies and other butterflies.

Blazing Stars (Liatris spicata) - Very popular with butterflies.