The Best Cosmos Varieties for Butterflies

White

• Plant garden cosmos, also called tall cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) to attract butterflies. This plant flowers all summer long and grows up to 6 feet tall. White-flowering varieties include the "Sonata Dwarf Mix," a dwarf that reaches 12 inches in height and width. The "Sonata Dwarf Mix" grows best in full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Its white blossoms make attractive cut flowers. Another white bloomer, "Sensation Purity" grows from 3 to 4 feet tall and starts flowering early in the season.

Yellow and Orange

• Yellow cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) will also attract butterflies to the yard. This summer-flowering annual grows up to 3 feet tall and thrives in sunny sites with poor soil. Yellow cosmos tolerates drought and heat, but may require support in windy areas. Yellow and orange bloomers include "Sunny Gold," a cultivar that grows to 12 inches tall, and "Klondyke Mix," which grows in varied shades of yellow, gold and burnt orange.

Pink

• Garden cosmos grows in a range of pinks, from light rose to deep magenta. To attract butterflies, "Fine Gardening" magazine recommends "Sea Shells," a Mexican cultivar that grows up to 6 feet tall. The pink petals of "Sea Shells" are shaped like tubes and bloom through the summer. This cosmos grows well in full sun and tolerates drought. Another rosy bloomer, "Candy Stripe" produces summer blooms with dark-magenta margins edging pale pink petals. This sun-loving cultivar grows from 3 to 6 feet tall.

Red

• For red blooms that draw butterflies, "Fine Gardening" magazine suggests planting "Cosmic Red" yellow cosmos. This 12-inch-tall annual produces deep red flowers with yellow centers that last through summer. "Cosmic Red" grows best in moist, well-draining soil and full sun. Other red-hued cosmos include "Sunny Red," a yellow cosmos cultivar that produces bright blooms and grows to 2 feet tall.