As most of the summer plants will soon begin to die, and since plants are always on my brain, I start thinking hard this time of year about about useful multi-purpose perennials, which can be well established before next year and which can spring up for the earliest spring color.
Herbs are a great money saver and many are great butterfly host and nectar plants. Fennel, in particular will attract many of the majestic different swallowtail species.
It's not too late to establish some of these from plants or too early to start their seeds in the refrigerator or prepared ground for cold stratification.
Here are some butterfly friendly perennial herbs you might consider with a suggested variety:
 |
| Male black swallowtail butterfly. State butterfly of Oklahoma. From Wikimedia commons. |
