Your garden can be much more than lovely, serene or a place for family and friends to gather. It can be a bird and butterfly oasis. Creating this oasis doesn't take much more than planting the kinds of plant material which will attract birds and butterflies. To help get you started we've listed some of the annuals and perennials that will woo these critters into your garden. Remember that birds need to feel protected before they begin to gather so try centering these plantings near or around groups of established trees and shrubs.
Hummingbirds and Butterflies enjoy many of the same features in your garden. Both enjoy flowers for food, shelter from weather, and a place to bask in the sun.  Water is another essential -- a hollow in a rock, or a shallow birdbath can provide the needed water and hours of enjoyment to the observer!! Both hummingbirds and butterflies like to fly freely; and will provide aerial shows almost hourly!

A well-planned garden with the proper plants and the proper positioning is the secret to luring hummingbirds and butterflies. Even better, it is also practical and attractive...


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Hummingbirds & Butterflies
Phlox
Butterflies and hummingbirds take nectar from the white and purple flowers. Other birds feed on the seeds in the fall.
Zinnias
Flowers provide nectar for butterflies while birds eat seeds in autumn and winter. Single flowering varieties are best.
Basket of Gold (Alyssum)
Attract butterflies for nectar.
Blazing Star (Liatris)
Purple flowers provide nectar to butterflies.
Lavender
Fragrant purple flowers attract butterflies for nectar.
Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile)
Butterflies take nectar from the small pink flowers that bloom from August to September.
Sweet William (Dianthus)
Red, white, rosy purple flowers provide nectar for butterflies.
Achillea (Yarrow)
Yarrow is easy to grow and rewarding with sprays of summer flowers. Ladybugs are attracted to this plant as well as butterflies. Grows 18"-2' high.
Buddleia davidii (Butterfly Bush)
Can reach 9-15 feet. Cut to knee high in November. Reblooms through summer if old blossoms removed. Great for both hummingbirds and butterflies.
Chaenomeles japonica (Flowering Quince)
Flowers in January, attracting hummers in winter months. Deciduous shrub to 4-6', some smaller varieties too.
Salvia Greggii (Autumn Sage)
This, and in fact, most sages are hummingbird attractants. Blooming for over half the year, Autumn sage is found in shades of red and pink.
Gaura lindheimeri
Can almost bloom its heart out. May remain in bloom 6 or more months. 2-3' high and wide. Attracts hummers and butterflies.
Hemerocallis "Evergreen Yellow"
(Evergreen Daylily) Easy to grow, strap leaves are a nice contrast. flowers are clear yellow, 2-3' Attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies.
Lantana
Flowers in reds and yellows provide a good nectar source for butterflies.