8 Best Bushes for Butterflies and Hummingbirds in 2026
A pollinator garden attracts butterflies and hummingbirds by offering continuous nectar and shelter through the seasons.
Choosing the right shrubs and bloomers creates a reliable food source from spring to fall.
Native and compact varieties often provide the best balance of beauty and habitat.
Here are eight top bushes that perform well for pollinators in 2026.
| Hummingbird Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix (7,500 Seeds) |  | Best Seed Mix | Plant Type: Wildflower seed mix | Attracts Pollinators: Hummingbirds, butterflies | Sun Exposure: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Butterfly Milkweed Seeds for Planting (1 Pack) |  | Best Native Plant | Plant Type: Butterfly milkweed | Attracts Pollinators: Monarchs, bees, hummingbirds | Sun Exposure: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Perfect Plants Nanho Butterfly Shrub 1 Gallon |  | Best Tall Shrub | Plant Type: Butterfly bush shrub | Attracts Pollinators: Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds | Sun Exposure: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| 2 Gal. Pugster Ameythst Buddleia Shrub |  | Best Compact Shrub | Plant Type: Buddleia shrub | Attracts Pollinators: Butterflies, hummingbirds | Sun Exposure: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Hummingbird/Butterfly Wildflower Mix |  | Best Small Space Mix | Plant Type: Wildflower seed mix | Attracts Pollinators: Hummingbirds, butterflies | Sun Exposure: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Outsidepride Butterfly Bush Mix Seeds 100 Pcs |  | Best Heirloom Seeds | Plant Type: Butterfly bush seeds | Attracts Pollinators: Butterflies, hummingbirds | Sun Exposure: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Greenwood Nursery Grand Cascade Butterfly Bush (2 Plants) |  | Best Premium Shrub | Plant Type: Butterfly bush shrub | Attracts Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds | Sun Exposure: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Wildflower Seeds Bulk Butterfly Hummingbird Mix 21 Variety |  | Best Bulk Mix | Plant Type: Wildflower seed mix | Attracts Pollinators: Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds | Sun Exposure: Full sun | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Hummingbird Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix (7,500 Seeds)
If you want a simple way to draw hummingbirds and butterflies into your garden, the Hummingbird Butterfly Wildflower Seed Mix is a smart pick. You get a 1-ounce packet with about 7,500 pure live seeds, enough to cover up to 100 square feet. You can plant it in borders, wildflower areas, or mixed beds, and the nectar-rich blooms keep your space colorful through the season. Family Sown includes easy planting instructions, and the premium seeds offer strong germination. The reusable zipper helps keep seeds fresh, and it makes a nice gift, too.
- Plant Type:Wildflower seed mix
- Attracts Pollinators:Hummingbirds, butterflies
- Sun Exposure:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Mixed colors
- Hardiness Zones:Not listed
- Water Needs:Not listed
- Additional Feature:7,500 pure live seeds
- Additional Feature:Covers 100 square feet
- Additional Feature:Reusable zipper packet
Butterfly Milkweed Seeds for Planting (1 Pack)
Butterfly Milkweed Seeds for Planting are a smart pick for gardeners who want a native wildflower that actively supports monarch butterflies. You’ll grow Asclepias tuberosa, a bushy perennial that reaches 12–18 inches and blooms bright orange in summer. It thrives in full sun in zones 4–11 with moderate watering. This non-GMO, heirloom, open-pollinated seed pack is ideal for outdoor planting, wildflower mixes, and conservation gardens. Cold stratify seeds in a damp towel in the fridge for 2–3 weeks before sowing. You’ll also attract bees and hummingbirds while supporting caterpillars.
- Plant Type:Butterfly milkweed
- Attracts Pollinators:Monarchs, bees, hummingbirds
- Sun Exposure:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Orange
- Hardiness Zones:4–11
- Water Needs:Moderate
- Additional Feature:Cold stratification recommended
- Additional Feature:Native host plant
- Additional Feature:Save-seeds instructions included
Perfect Plants Nanho Butterfly Shrub 1 Gallon
Perfect Plants Nanho Butterfly Shrub 1 Gallon is a smart pick for you if you want a fast-growing, purple-blooming shrub that pulls in butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. You get a live Buddleja shrub with sweet, honey-like conical flowers and a bushy habit that works well in borders or as a specimen. Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil, then water moderately until it’s established. In USDA zones 5–9, it may die back in winter but regrows in spring. It’s rabbit resistant, drought tolerant, and can reach 6–10 feet in two seasons.
- Plant Type:Butterfly bush shrub
- Attracts Pollinators:Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
- Sun Exposure:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Purple/violet
- Hardiness Zones:5–9
- Water Needs:Moderate
- Additional Feature:Grows 6–10 feet
- Additional Feature:Sweet honey-like fragrance
- Additional Feature:Ships with root system
2 Gal. Pugster Ameythst Buddleia Shrub
The 2 Gal. Pugster Amethyst Buddleia Shrub from Proven Winners gives you compact beauty with fragrant purple blooms that butterflies and hummingbirds love. You’ll enjoy its tidy 24-inch height, making it a smart fit for containers or garden beds. Plant it in full sun in zones 5 through 10, and water it twice weekly until it’s established, then once a week. This deciduous shrub blooms from spring into summer, with autumn interest noted. It ships as a 2-gallon plant, and you can order it year-round. Keep it watered for best results.
- Plant Type:Buddleia shrub
- Attracts Pollinators:Butterflies, hummingbirds
- Sun Exposure:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Purple
- Hardiness Zones:5–10
- Water Needs:Moderate
- Additional Feature:Compact 24-inch habit
- Additional Feature:Ships dormant seasonally
- Additional Feature:Container-friendly shrub
Hummingbird/Butterfly Wildflower Mix
If you want a compact seed mix that draws both hummingbirds and butterflies, the Hummingbird/Butterfly Wildflower Mix is a strong pick for small beds, pollinator patches, and wildflower gardens. You get 5 grams of seed, which covers about 2 square feet and includes 23 wildflower varieties. Expect bright, aromatic, nectar-rich blooms like larkspur, columbine, snapdragon, cosmos, foxglove, poppy, and zinnia. Germination usually takes 12 to 30 days. Some varieties grow easily, while others need more care. Give it the right soil, light, and moisture, and you’ll help it establish well.
- Plant Type:Wildflower seed mix
- Attracts Pollinators:Hummingbirds, butterflies
- Sun Exposure:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Mixed colors
- Hardiness Zones:Not listed
- Water Needs:Not listed
- Additional Feature:23 wildflower varieties
- Additional Feature:5-gram packet
- Additional Feature:12–30 day germination
Outsidepride Butterfly Bush Mix Seeds 100 Pcs
Looking for a butterfly bush that gives you more than one bloom color and keeps pollinators coming back? Outsidepride Butterfly Bush Mix Seeds give you 100 heirloom buddleia seeds with purple, lilac, and white blooms. You’ll get fragrant flowers that bloom from spring through fall, and plants can reach 72 to 96 inches tall. Sow 3 to 4 seeds in full sun with moist, well-drained soil at about 75°F. Expect germination in 14 to 21 days. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and great for USDA zones 5 to 9. Deadhead spent flowers for bigger blooms.
- Plant Type:Butterfly bush seeds
- Attracts Pollinators:Butterflies, hummingbirds
- Sun Exposure:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Mixed colors
- Hardiness Zones:5–9
- Water Needs:Moist, well-drained
- Additional Feature:100 seed packet
- Additional Feature:Multi-colored bloom mix
- Additional Feature:Sow 3–4 seeds
Greenwood Nursery Grand Cascade Butterfly Bush (2 Plants)
Greenwood Nursery’s Grand Cascade Butterfly Bush is a great pick for gardeners who want a fast-growing, low-maintenance shrub that draws butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds all season long. You’ll get two pint-pot plants that grow into a deciduous shrub about 5 to 6 feet tall and 7 to 8 feet wide. Its long, soft lavender-purple blooms can cascade 12 to 14 inches from mid-summer into fall. Plant it in full sun, give it fertile, moist, well-drained soil, and water clay soil regularly. It’s deer resistant and suits USDA zones 5 through 10.
- Plant Type:Butterfly bush shrub
- Attracts Pollinators:Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Sun Exposure:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Lavender-purple
- Hardiness Zones:5–10
- Water Needs:Moist, well-drained
- Additional Feature:2 pint pots
- Additional Feature:Bare-root or potted
- Additional Feature:14-day delivery guarantee
Wildflower Seeds Bulk Butterfly Hummingbird Mix 21 Variety
With 10,000+ heirloom seeds across 21 colorful varieties, this Butterfly Hummingbird Mix is a strong pick for gardeners who want a low-maintenance pollinator patch that keeps blooming from spring through fall. You’ll get quick sprouting in 7–20 days, then continuous color from annuals and perennials that return year after year. Plant it in full sun with loam soil, moderate water, and a light rake after broadcasting. It works well in USDA zones 3–9 and suits roadsides, rooftop gardens, and natural lawns. You’ll also attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with ease, even if you’re a beginner.
- Plant Type:Wildflower seed mix
- Attracts Pollinators:Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Sun Exposure:Full sun
- Bloom Color:Rainbow mix
- Hardiness Zones:3–9
- Water Needs:Moderate
- Additional Feature:10,000+ seed count
- Additional Feature:21-variety mix
- Additional Feature:7–20 day sprouting
Factors to Consider When Choosing Bushes for Butterflies and Hummingbirds
When you choose bushes for butterflies and hummingbirds, check their sunlight needs and make sure they fit your garden’s conditions. You’ll also want plants that bloom for a long season, support native wildlife, and draw pollinators with nectar-rich flowers. Finally, consider the bush’s mature size and shape so it fits your space and still leaves room for easy access.
Sunlight Requirements
Sunlight is one of the biggest factors in how well butterfly- and hummingbird-attracting shrubs perform in your garden. You’ll usually get the best results in full sun, where shrubs receive 6–8 hours of direct light and can make more flowers and nectar. If your site only gets partial sun, about 4–6 hours, you can still grow many flowering bushes, but you’ll likely see fewer blooms and less nectar. Morning sun with afternoon shade can work well for some plants, since it helps prevent heat stress while still supporting growth. Avoid deep shade when you can; less than 4 hours of direct sun usually means weaker flowering. Also, watch for microclimates near walls or courtyards, where extra warmth and reflected light can help your shrubs produce more nectar.
Bloom Season Length
Bloom season length matters just as much as bloom count, because a shrub that flowers for months can feed butterflies and hummingbirds far better than one that blooms only once. You’ll get the best results by choosing bushes that bloom for 8–12 weeks or more, or that stagger their peak periods. That keeps nectar available during migration and across successive butterfly generations. Aim for a mix of early-, mid-, and late-season bloomers so your garden offers food from the first warm days to the end of the season. Reblooming perennials and shrubs with continuous flower spikes usually give you the longest feeding window, especially after deadheading. Also, think about both each plant’s bloom duration and the whole patch’s continuous bloom, so you can keep pollinators visiting longer.
Native Plant Benefits
Native shrubs can make your butterfly and hummingbird garden far more effective because they provide the right host plants and nectar sources for local species. When you choose natives, you give butterflies places to lay eggs and their caterpillars the food they need to survive. You also offer hummingbirds dependable nectar when they’re active in your area. Because these shrubs already fit your climate and soils, you’ll usually water and fertilize less while helping plants establish faster. Native shrubs also support more local insects, which strengthens the food web birds depend on. By using locally native varieties, you help preserve genetic diversity, improve resilience against pests and diseases, and support long-term ecosystem stability in your landscape.
Pollinator Appeal
When you choose bushes for butterflies and hummingbirds, focus first on flowers that offer plenty of nectar and bloom steadily from spring through fall. You’ll give pollinators a reliable food source when you pick shrubs with tubular or clustered blooms that open generously over a long season. Choose bright reds, oranges, and pinks for hummingbirds, and add warm hues and purple for butterflies. Match flower form to feeding style: hummingbirds prefer tubes, while butterflies need flat or clustered blooms they can land on easily. Whenever you can, select native or regionally adapted shrubs, because local pollinators already know them. Also favor drought-tolerant, low-pesticide bushes that keep producing nectar without heavy chemical care, so you support healthier pollinator populations all season.
Growth Size And Shape
Paying attention to mature size and shape helps you choose shrubs that fit your space and still draw pollinators effectively. You’ll want to match mature height to your goals: compact 2–3 foot shrubs work well near paths, while 6–10 foot specimens can anchor larger beds without disappearing into the background. Spread matters too, because a dense, spreading shrub needs more room than a narrow, columnar one. Give compact plants about 2–3 feet of space, and allow 6–8 feet or more for wide growers so air moves freely and butterflies can land easily. Look for upright flower clusters that sit where hummingbirds and butterflies feed. Fast growers can bloom in one or two seasons, and if you need size control, choose shrubs that handle pruning without losing flower production.
Soil And Drainage
Good drainage is one of the biggest keys to healthy butterfly- and hummingbird-friendly shrubs, because most prefer loamy or sandy loam soil that lets water move through instead of lingering around the roots. You should aim for a soil pH around 6.0 to 7.5, since extremes can limit nutrients and cut flower production. Before planting, dig a 12-inch hole, fill it with water, and see if it drains within 24 hours; if not, choose another spot. Mix 2 to 4 inches of compost or aged mulch into the planting hole to improve structure and moisture balance. In heavy clay, raise the planting area or add coarse sand and compost so roots stay airy and avoid rot while the shrub establishes.
Hardiness Zone Fit
Once you’ve got the soil and drainage right, the next step is making sure your shrubs can handle your climate. Check each shrub’s USDA hardiness zone before you buy, and match it to your garden’s winter lows. A plant rated for zones 5–9 might survive in zone 5, but it’ll usually bloom better and grow to full size in zones 7–9. If you deal with harsh winters, choose shrubs that resprout from the root crown or are hardy several zones colder than you are. In hot regions, confirm the upper zone limit and drought tolerance, especially for zone 10 or 11 plants. When you plant several species, pick ones with overlapping bloom windows so butterflies and hummingbirds can find nectar through changing temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bushes Bloom Longest for Butterflies and Hummingbirds?
Butterfly bush, lantana, and abelia bloom longest for butterflies and hummingbirds. You’ll get roughly 10 to 20 weeks of flowers, and abelia often keeps going from late spring into fall with steady nectar.
How Much Sunlight Do These Butterfly Bushes Need?
You’ll get the best blooms if you give them full sun, about six to eight hours daily. In part shade, they’ll still grow, but you’ll see fewer flowers and less butterfly and hummingbird activity.
Are These Bushes Safe for Pets and Children?
Not always; you should check each bush, since some can irritate pets or kids if eaten. You’ll want to avoid toxic varieties, supervise children, and keep pruning debris, thorns, and pesticides out of reach.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Butterfly Bushes?
Plant butterfly bushes in spring after the last frost, or in early fall. You’ll give roots time to settle before extremes; like opening a welcoming door, you’re setting the stage for thriving blooms.
Do Butterfly Bushes Attract Bees as Well?
Yes, butterfly bushes attract bees too. You’ll often see bees visiting the fragrant, nectar-rich blooms alongside butterflies and hummingbirds. If you want fewer bees, choose less-open flowers or plant farther from patios.
