A sweet spot

This garden isn’t just a feast for the eyes – it’s a treat for butterflies, too! Groups of bright blossoms draw them in and make a bigger impact than a few clusters of the same plants. And the flat shapes of most of the blooms in this design are easiest for butterflies to land and feed on.

Click ahead for more information on this butterfly-friendly garden!

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Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis ‘Holmstrup’

Type Evergreen tree

Blooms NA

Light Full sun to part shade

Size 10 to 15 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide

Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 7

Heat-tolerant AHS zones 7 to 1

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Butterfly bush

Buddleja davidii ‘Black Knight’ ‘

Type Perennial

Blooms Fragrant, dark-purple flower spikes from midsummer to fall

Light Full sun

Size 6 to 8 ft. tall, 3 to 5 ft. wide

Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 9

Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1

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Zinnia

Zinnia elegans

Type Annual

Blooms In all colors except blue

Light Full sun

Size 10 to 24 in. tall, 8 to 15 in. wide

Heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1

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Goldenrod

Solidago ‘Golden Baby’ (‘Goldkind’)

Type Perennial

Blooms Golden yellow plumes of flowers from midsummer to fall

Light Full sun

Size 18 to 24 in. tall, 8 to 12 in. wide

Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 9

Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1

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Purple coneflower

Echinacea purpurea

Type Perennial

Blooms Pink petals surround spiky orange centers from midsummer to fall

Light Full sun to part shade

Size 18 to 48 in. tall, 16 to 36 in. wide

Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 9

Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1