Cool Weather Nectar Plants

Our first hard freeze has come and gone here at BioWorks, and we’re hoping it will be the last. The weather wasn’t too severe, so anything that was sheltered beneath trees or near buildings generally did fine, as did those plants better adapted to colder weather. We did have some damage to plants out in the open, including lantana, blue daze, and pentas.

So, it’s time to start thinking about replanting, and at this time of year we’ll be focusing on plants that thrive during cooler weather, especially those that provide nectar for butterflies, since there are still plenty of them around. Here are five great cool-weather nectar plants to keep you going from now until June.

Trailing Bacopa (Sutera cordata) – Not to be confused with the wetlands plant Bacopa monnieri, this cool-weather annual thrives in Florida’s winter and spring weather. It looks especially nice in hanging baskets due to its trailing growth habit. It’s available in white and lavender.

 

 

 

Petunia (Petunia × hybrida): Although the deep flowers of petunias aren’t accessible to smaller butterflies, you’ll often see sulphur butterflies stopping by for a sip. Petunias are available in a wide variety of colors and growth habits.

 

 

 

Tampa Vervain (Glandularia tampensis): This outstanding Florida native wildflower has finally started getting the attention it deserves in recent years. It’s endangered in the wild, found in only a few coastal counties in Central Florida, but growers are making it available for gardeners again. It will thrive in your garden from now till the heat of summer, so if you see it, snap it up!

 

Verbena (Verbena spp.): Though verbenas are often marketing as “great for heat”, we find they do much better in the winter and spring garden here in Florida. They come in an incredibly wide variety of colors and growth habits.

 

 

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima): Ah, the sweet scent of alyssum! It draws bees and tiny butterflies throughout the spring. White and purple are common colors, but there’s a gorgeous mix called ‘Pastel Carpet’ too.

 

 

What other cool weather annuals do you plant in your Central Florida garden for wintertime butterflies? Did we miss one of your favorites? Tell us in the comments!