by Joyce Holster
To attract both fireflies and butterflies to your garden, plant native species like asters, goldenrod, buttonbush, cardinal flower, coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, switchgrass, ironweed, milkweed, yarrow, and bergamot as they provide nectar for adult insects
while also offering suitable habitats for their larval stages.
Key points to remember:
Native plants are key:
Always prioritize native plants in your region as they are best suited to the local firefly and butterfly species.
Variety is important:
Plant a mix of flowers with different bloom times to provide a continuous food source throughout the season.
Consider larval needs:
Think about the host plants needed for the larval stages of butterflies, like milkweed for monarch butterflies.
Leave some wild areas:
Allow some areas of your garden to grow wild with tall grasses and leaf litter, which provide important hiding and breeding spots for fireflies.
Other good options for attracting fireflies and butterflies:
Grasses: Inland sea oats, big bluestem, switchgrass
Wildflowers: Penstemon, verbena, salvia, lupine, morning glories
Vines: Purple leatherflower, morning glory
Shrubs: Buttonbush, elderberry