How2Day: Butterfly Plants for Southern Maryland

Butterflies not only enhance a garden, but pollinate it. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Although many plants bloom in Maryland gardens, not every plant suits butterflies. The University of Maryland suggests a range of flowers that are low care and butterfly attracting, suitable for the slightly warmer temperatures of the southern regions of the state. These perennials draw butterflies through open blooms and bright colors and are most effective when gardeners plant them in large masses rather than in small patches.

Gaillardia grow quickly from seed. gaillardia image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
A North American wildflower, nurseries developed variations of gaillardia (Gaillardia x grandiflora). This perennial has a deep, nearly plum-colored center surrounded by petals that shade from red to orange to yellow, creating a striped effect. Gaillardia blooms from early summer to early fall and often until frost. They dislike heavy soils. Gaillardia blooms better in poor soils than in very rich ones. They are drought tolerant and need full sun. Although gaillardias are not as long-lived, as are other perennials, they reseed easily. If you have a cultivar like the Goblin or the yellow Dazzler, be aware that gaillardia does not come true from seed. Gaillardias grow 1 to 3 feet tall, depending on the cultivar, and attract a range of butterflies.

Black-eyed Susans combine well with lavender plants or blue-flowering salvias. Rudbeckia image by fotoroland from Fotolia.com
Native to the Midwest, black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) are grow in southern Maryland gardens and have long, yellow petals surrounding a dark, cone-shaped center. The petals act as landing strips for masses of butterflies, which appreciate the easily-accessible flowers on tall, nodding stems. Black-eyed Susans are tough, tolerating average soils and dry conditions, but grow best with regular water. In hot-summer areas, they are short-lived, but live 4 to 5 years when summers are temperate. Black-eyed Susans do come true from seed. They prefer well-drained soils and sunny sites. Black-eyed Susans bloom from summer until fall, grow 18 to 48 inches tall and attract whites, sulphurs and blues.

New England asters grow well in poor to average soils. new england aster image by dwags from Fotolia.com
New England asters (Aster novae-angliae) produce rich, violet-blue flowers from late summer to fall. Newer cultivars bloom in shades of pink, red and lavender. Although the original native Aster grows up to 6 feet tall or taller, modern plants usually grow from 3 to 4 feet tall. This perennial grows in average-to-poor soils and prefers regular moisture, combining well with the golds of Maximilian's sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani), another butterfly-attracting plant. New England Asters produce most prolifically in sunny locations, and the 1-inch flowers attract a wide range of butterflies. Most butterflies, from the painted lady to pearl crescents, find New England Asters attractive and enjoy the long-lived plant.

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