9 Grasses that Attract Butterflies
13.07.2024 - 02:29
/ balconygardenweb.com
When we think of grass, manicured lawns come to mind. But the grass is so much more than just pricey green decor! Many native flowering varieties are crucial hosts to beneficial pollinators and lend vivid textures to dull landscapes. With this list of grasses that attract butterflies, you can turn your garden into a gorgeous biodiversity hub!
If butterflies visit your garden, bees, birds, and insects essential for pollination will invariably follow suit. These pollinators help natural ecosystems thrive, providing shelter and nourishment to other wild creatures and microorganisms.
And grass varieties, especially the native kinds that also produce flowers, are perfect for taking up space between flowering plants that may be colonized by weeds post-bloom season. Their dense foliage and fine texture give your landscape a look of abundance and are excellent for soil erosion and stabilizing slopes!
Interested in pollinators? Check out our article on DIY plant combinations to attract butterflies and bees!
Botanical Name: Sporobolus heterolepsis
This North American native is a legend in the butterfly world. It is one of the few plants that host the federally threatened Dakota skipper and Poweshiek skipperling butterfly species. This grass has fine, green leaves that morph into a golden orange in the fall and can grow up to 2-3 feet tall.
The seeds of this perennial flowering grass give off a strong scent of popcorn–so if you are hungry, stay away unless you wish to torment yourself!
Botanical Name: Panicum virgatum
Another butterfly haven, switchgrass is a perennial warm-season bunchgrass with tall, feathery plumes that can reach up to seven feet tall and change color through the seasons. This ornamental plant is commonly spotted along