Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Wednesday - April 15, 2015
From: Darien, CT
Region: Northeast
Topic: Plant Lists, Butterfly Gardens
Title: Butterfly and Hummingbird Attracting Plants for CT
Answered by: Anne Van Nest
QUESTION:
Could you please give me a list of flowers that would attract butterflies and hummingbirds? I live in Darien, Connecticut and would love to make a butterfly garden.ANSWER:
To develop a list of plants that are beneficial to butterflies and moths and that grow in Connecticut, start with our special collections list of Plants for Butterflies and Moths of North America. Next, narrow your search to only Connecticut native plants by selecting your state. Then select "herb" general appearance and "perennial" lifespan. This will give you a list of 43 plants for your region.When you look over these plants, check out the "Use Wildlife" under the Benefits section and you will see if the plant is also attracts hummingbirds (many do).
Some of these include:
Actaea racemosa var. racemosa (Black cohosh)
Aquilegia canadensis (Eastern red columbine)
Asclepias syriaca (Common milkweed)
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyweed)
Desmodium canadense (Showy tick trefoil)
Helianthus decapetalus (Thinleaf sunflower)
Lupinus perennis (Sundial lupine)
Penstemon hirsutus (Hairy penstemon)
Rudbeckia hirta var. pulcherrima (Blackeyed Susan)
Senna hebecarpa (American senna)
From the Image Gallery
More Plant Lists Questions
Pool-Side Plants for Miami
April 02, 2015 - I am looking for plants, along the line of ti plant cordyline features, to plant around my chlorinated pool area with full South Miami sun. We have a dog therefore they must be non-toxic plants. The...
view the full question and answer
Ants and garden plants for Austin
November 03, 2012 - I am needy of companion plants that compliment and work well with the Lantana, Mexican Heather , and in the new beds that I am preparing where I was thinking in part to have passion flower (though is ...
view the full question and answer
Shrubs for Central Texas that are Verticillium Resistant
April 16, 2015 - We need a list of at least a few shrubs in the 6'x3'+ size that are Verticillium Wilt resistant. We have taken out the affected Elaeagnus and would like to replace it with a screen of similar densit...
view the full question and answer
Plants for streambank area in Oregon
September 14, 2012 - I am ready to replant a streambank area with native plants..what do you recommend for the Willamette Valley in Oregon? Thanks much!
view the full question and answer
Winter plant for area with poor drainage.
December 07, 2007 - I have a 2 ft by 15 ft bed between the concrete patio and the pool that gets run off from the porch roof. I can't gutter the roof, so the bed can get very wet and stay that way for some time. It face...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |