butterfly / hummingbird garden

[pasegundo]

I would like to put in a butterfly / hummingbird garden. Can anyone suggest trees, shrubs, plants that can handle our heat and drought. I would prefer evergreens and perennials. I am not opposed to annuals as long as they are low growing. What is the best time of year for this project?

[Tony M]

You can visit a demonstration butterfly garden here.
http://www.texasdiscoverygardens.org/butterfly_gdn.html
They also have a packet you can send for that explains how to create your own.
Tony M

[pasegundo]

Thanks! I'm going to have to visit this place!!!

[squid]

heres some more good sources

http://www.ktb.org/programs/Butterfly/butterflygardening.htm

and the one plant I'd suggest as a must have is 'Eupatorium greggii' Blue Mist Flower or West Texas Mist Flower....I planted four of them two years ago and the butterflies flock to it. Second to that would be a Joe Pye Weed.

Blue Mist...

[Tony M]

Be careful where you put blue mist, it can be invasive and take over a bed in no time.
Tony M

[squid]

that's what I was told when I bought it, but our heavy red clay soils prevent it from spreading at a rate that you couldnt keep ahead of it...

[sandih]

Remember that one key to a good butterfly garden is to provide host AND nectar plants. One will draw the butterfly to it to lay eggs, the other will give them the nourishment they need. These links give you examples of both types of plants.

http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/butterflies/garden.html

http://butterflywebsite.com/butterflygardening.cfm

[pasegundo]

Thanks everyone! The links are great. I am looking forward to getting my project started!!