Looking for ideas for flowers to attract butterflies, Road Trips Gardeners? Consider a drive to Chattachoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, Georgia.

Its Butterfly Garden is a collection of both native and non-native plants that were specifically selected to attract butterflies. Non-native plants are used in this garden in order to increase the blooming season and add color.

Many plants, like Narrow-leafed Sunflowers, Goldenrod, Lantana, Butterfly Weed and Asters, bloom for a very long time and produce plenty of nectar for adult butterflies to feed on.

In addition to nectar sources, many host plants have been included to encourage specific butterflies to lay their eggs here. Look for members of the bean family that have been planted for the many Skippers that feed on them as caterpillars including Spicebush for the Spicebush Swallowtail and Passionflower for the Gulf Fritillary.

The center sponsors a Flying Colors Butterfly Festival each July that includes a butterfly release.

(Photo courtesy of Chattahoochee Nature Center)