• A variety of annuals, biennials and perennials are found attractive to butterflies.Butterflies in Blue image by George from Fotolia.com
  
  There are more than 100 butterfly-friendly flowers.There are some more familiar flowers that you may want to include in your garden as a way to attract butterflies. Include a variety of nectar plants if you want to extend the length of stay of your butterflies rather than only cultivating host plants for pollination.
  
  

Annuals

• Salvia is among the annuals that draw butterflies.red salvia image by Michelle Reimers from Fotolia.com
  
  Among the annuals to which butterflies are drawn include cosmos, marigold, salvia, zinnia and petunia. Frequently, zinnias are recommended for inclusion in butterfly gardens as nectar sources for adult butterflies. The Lilliput zinnia cultivar is a special preference of butterflies. Both wild and cultivated flowers of various colors - and planted in groups - will draw a wider variety of butterflies.
  
  

Biennials

• Thistle is among the flowers that are a big draw to monarch butterflies.monarch butterfly on flower image by David Sexton from Fotolia.com
  
  Biennials are plants that live through two growing seasons. A few of the biennials that draw butterflies are Black-eyed-Susan, Queen Ann's lace, red clover, Sweet William and thistle. Monarch butterflies are drawn to thistle on which to lay their eggs. Butterflies will tend to stay around your garden longer if you plant both Sweet William with a blooming season of spring through early summer and Black-eyed-Susan which blooms from summer to fall.
  
  

Perennials

• Phlox is a perennial favorite of tiger swallowtail butterflies on which to lay eggs.blue phlox image by Liga Lauzuma from Fotolia.com
  
  Among the many perennials of interest to butterflies are asters, butterfly weed (asclepias), purple coneflower, hollyhock, black-eyed Susan, phlox and peony. Painted lady and buckeye butterflies find favor with asters as a depository for their eggs. Black-eyed Susans attract the Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly. Tiger swallowtails are drawn to phlox.