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Tuesday - May 04, 2010
From: Idaho Falls, ID
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Butterfly Gardens
Title: Hummingbird and butterfly plants for Idaho
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I'm interested in planting a hummingbird and butterfly friendly garden. What do you suggest? I would like something that will rebloom every year and that has long lasting blooms or some different ones that bloom at different times so my garden is blooming as long as possible. ThanksANSWER:
On our Recommended Species page under "Special Collections" you will find a link to a list of plants valuable to moths and butterflies. You can find which of those plants are native to Idaho by using the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option in the sidebar of that list. Here are a few recommendations for perennials chosen from this list:
Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry) blooms April, May and June
Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo) blooms April, May and June
Asclepias asperula (spider milkweed) blooms March through October
Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed) blooms May through September
Rosa nutkana (Nootka rose) blooms May, June and July
Here are some annuals and biennials that should reseed themselves after they bloom.
Cleome serrulata (Rocky Mountain beeplant) blooms July, August and September.
Sphaeralcea coccinea (scarlet globemallow) blooms April through September
Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan) blooms June through October
Here are a couple of extra Idaho native possibilities with red flowers for attracting hummingbirds:
Ipomopsis aggregata (scarlet gilia) is a biennial and blooms August, September and October
Aquilegia formosa (western columbine) blooms May through August
Here are photos from our Image Gallery:
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