The lantanas and salvias I have growing survive as perennials here. But some salvias I won't grow...those that need an easier climate than I have here. Right now, there's 2 Red Admirals hanging around and the other day there was an American Lady also. I'm putting out old fruit and jelly for them and also for the bees (who are also getting a 1:1 nectar mix). And the hummingbird feeder for the single Rufous hummingbird. My remaining blooms are gone, thanks to the polar fronts. So sad!

That's wonderful you're getting 2 Red Admirals and an American Lady butterflies!

Wonderful still, that you've a Rufous hummingbird and bees!

Sorry to hear the polar front dipped down to where you are, we've got it also.

Another aerial garden visitor attracted by a fragrant annual plant stand is the Hummingbird Moth to Flowering Tobacco and the annual Moonflower vine. Hummingbirds are attracted to the wildflower Ipomopsis, the half hardy Leonotis nepetifolia, and the red Pentas (annual for me)..

J,

I completely forgot about the Hummingbird Moth! I can't believe I didn't mention it!

A lot of the plants that I originally had in the article weren't mentioned, such as Pentas for one. I love Pentas! I usually try to grow a red one. We had 2 Hummingbird Moths here this past Summer going to all my plants, but couldn't get any pics of it. They're such beautiful little things!

Thanks for mentioning the others.

I haven't grown Leonotis nepetifolia for a few years. Always have to find it online. I haven't grown the others you mentioned yet.

The only 2 times I've seen hummingbird moths in my yard were both on verbenas. Once it was verbena bonariensis


The other was Homestead Purple


Karen

Marilyn,

Thank you for a wonderful article, and the pictures are just gorgeous. I previously started making a list of plants I wanted to attract the hummingbirds and butterflies, and thanks to your recommendations, and those of jmorth and Karen, I now have a few more plants to add to my list

Very nice to see this, Marilyn. I am so pleased when people are planting to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators. Makes me happy.

Karen yours looks like the Snowberry Clearwing type. I've seen them in the wild, in my home garden we're usually blessed with the Carolina and White Lined Sphinx Moth types (Hawk Moths), occasionally w/ the Thersa Sphinx type.
Check out my avatar.

Yes. That guy in your avatar is beautiful!

Karen

Cem9165 said:Marilyn,

Thank you for a wonderful article, and the pictures are just gorgeous. I previously started making a list of plants I wanted to attract the hummingbirds and butterflies, and thanks to your recommendations, and those of jmorth and Karen, I now have a few more plants to add to my list

The thought of Anise scented salvia I just intoxicating!!! Does anyone in warmer climates know if it is like the black and blue that spreads under ground?

Fabulous Article, just fabulous!

Newyorkrita said:Fabulous Article, just fabulous!

I too love the annual Salvias. There are so many to choose from in both the blue and the yellow. All the pretty ones that I like to grow are definitely only annuals for us here and die off every winter. I only wish they continued growing like they might in Florida.

My favorite annuals are zinnias. They too attract butterflies. Another favorite are portulacas and Marigolds. I always rely on having some annuals to add season long color to my garden.

jmorth said:we're usually blessed with the Carolina and White Lined Sphinx Moth types (Hawk Moths), occasionally w/ the Thersa Sphinx type.
Check out my avatar.

That was the one we saw 2 of them doing all the flowers this past Summer- Fall.

Gorgeous and breathtaking!

I had a lot more annual plants and pics in my original article, but they didn't make the cut.

Happy that y'all loved it! Thanks bunches!

Thank you very much everyone for all the and all the generous tips!

I wonder why they were cut.

I guessing my article was too long. I wanted to share the excitement all of the plants with y'all too!

I see no problem with it being longer.