What plants attract dragonflies is important to know, as dragonflies are one of nature’s wonderful gifts because of their amazing abilities, and any gardener knows just how important it is to lure these magnificent-looking bugs.
They help keep mosquitoes under control by consuming mosquito larvae, which makes them ideal for outdoor spaces.
So, if you’re looking to plant some of the best plants that help lure in dragonflies, keep reading!
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Top Plants That Can Effectively Lure in Dragonflies
1. Asiatic Lily
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A variety of brilliant colors can be found in the showy, stunning blossoms of Asiatic lilies. These plants can be planted in the early spring or the fall and are bulb-based. They favor an area with abundant, well-drained soil that is sunny.
Dragonflies are drawn to the upright growth pattern of lilies as a place to perch, especially if this plant is taller than the other plants, so planting Asian lilies is a great pest control method for mosquitoes. Unfortunately, deer and rabbits also love Asiatic lilies, so they might need extra herbivore protection.
Asian lilies (Lilium asiatica) planted in the landscape result in the earliest lily bloom. Asiatic lilies are simple to care for if you have a basic idea of how to grow them. The secret to producing gorgeous, long-lasting blooms on Asiatic lilies is understanding the appropriate planting methods. You will be compensated with bright, prodigious flowers from this renowned perennial.
The Asiatic lily plant requires at least six hours of sunlight daily. The soil must drain efficiently, including adding organic material that’s worked several inches deep. If you plan to plant Asiatic lilies in an area with rich, organic soil, make sure it is loose and well-draining 6 to eight inches down. Never let the bulbs of this lily lie on wet ground.
Plant these bulbs in the fall, just before the year’s first freeze. This enables a strong root system to grow. Asiatic lily bulbs require the winter chill to create large blooms. With the flat end down, plant the bulbs three times as deep as their height. Lightly mulch around the bulbs to keep moisture in.
2. Joe Pye Weed
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Several species of the Eutrochium genus, including Eutrochium purpuream and Eutrochium maculatum, are grown as ornamental plants (spotted Joe weed). The late-blooming wildflower Eutrochium purpureum is indigenous to eastern and central North America.
It typically forms erect clusters that can be up to 7 feet tall. The native range of E. maculatum, which has somewhat more violet blooms, stretches further west to the Great Plains, but if you’re looking for plants that attract dragonflies in Florida, they’ll thrive further south without a problem.
Due to its impressive size and fragrant blossoms, joe-pye weed is a relatively low-maintenance plant that is nevertheless quite rewarding. It requires a lot of room to accommodate its height and spread. These plants naturally flourish in locations with soil that is a little bit moist, such as streams or drainage ditches.
Therefore, providing adequate water will typically be the most involved aspect of their care. Additionally, if your soil is particularly deficient, you might need fertilizer. When your Joe weed blooms profusely, it may require staking to keep it upright if it grows rather tall.
Continuous soil moisture maintenance is essential for a vigorous Joe weed to thrive. It is optimal for these weeds to grow in full sun to light shade. A plant that receives too much shadow may become leggy and topple over. Although this wildflower may grow in various soil types, it prefers fairly rich, well-drained soil.
3. Salvia pratensis
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The Lamiaceae (formerly Labiatae) family includes the expansive and diversified genus salvia. “Meadow sage” is a common name for this flower. It belongs to the same genus as common, or “culinary,” sage (S. officinalis), a popular plant among gourmets.
The Latin word salvere, which means “to heal,” is where the genus name comes from. Additionally to being used to flavor food, common sage has also been utilized medicinally (to improve memory, for example).
These plants can grow to a height of about 2 feet and have a comparable spread. However, only about 1 foot of that height is made up of foliage – the rest is made up of the stunning flower spikes, which tower above the leaves. The clusters of tiny flowers that line the spikes are a dark purplish-blue hue. The narrowness of the spikes gives them a delicate aspect.
How to attract dragonflies but not mosquitoes? Fill your garden with sage, and you’ll certainly get rid of them. Sage should be grown in direct sun and in soil that drains well. Even though they can withstand drought once established, young plants still require a reasonable amount of water.
4. Black-Eyed Susan
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Reliable and low-maintenance, Rudbeckia hirta, or black Susan, has become a common garden plant. Broad, rough-textured, ovate-shaped, bright yellow petals with black centers rise in daisy-like rays above the foliage. This wildflower is indigenous to the Midwest and thrives in open spaces and alongside roadsides.
It’s a fantastic option for gardens with lots of wildflowers because it can self-select. It can be planted in the spring following the last frost. Even though it may take two to three years to reach its maximum height, it will flower in the first summer.
Black-eyed Susans are simple to grow, naturalize nicely and need only be deadheaded for upkeep. The plants stay in bloom longer if the faded blooms are regularly deadheaded. You can leave the season’s final blooms on the plants to develop seed heads that will provide food for the birds all winter. Additionally, you will do a lot of self-seeding, which may not be terrible.
To establish the plants, keep them well-watered during their first season – an inch per week of rainfall or irrigation is adequate. Although they can tolerate some shade, black Susans will flower best in full sun. Black-eyed Susans don’t care what kind of soil they are in. They thrive on soil with a pH of around six, which should not be very rich and be well-drained. You can check our post on 10 companion plants for Black-Eyed Susan.
5. Asclepias incarnata
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The milkweed family includes the swamp milkweed. Bees and butterflies adore its blossoms. It is an essential host for monarch butterflies, the same as other milkweed species. What colors are dragonflies attracted to? These insects love purple and pink, so Asclepias incarnata blossoms, with their delicate mauve, pink, or reddish-violet colors, will certainly be successful in luring these.
On five tiny petals, five nectar cups form a crown perfect for precise pollination. By October, milkweeds’ distinctive white tufts, which are linked to flat brown seeds, are revealed by slender pods.
A natural garden is a great place to include Asclepias incarnata. This low-maintenance perennial looks great along the edges of ponds and streams, in cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and sunny borders. Because this plant will attract lots of visitors, you might wonder, “Are dragonflies good for the garden?” Of course they are, since they control mosquito populations, so you get to enjoy peace and quiet in your wild and beautiful garden.
It is recommended to put it on a permanent site because once the plant is established, its deep taproots must be left alone. Keep this plant well-watered. This milkweed probably won’t require irrigation throughout the growing season if given the right wetland setting. While minor shadow is okay, full light is preferable for plants.
6. Purple Coneflower
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Coneflowers are a staple of grasslands. They are tough, drought-tolerant, long-blooming, and native to eastern North America. They are also produced in an ever-expanding palette of hues. In most gardens, there is at least one variant of the bloom. Coneflowers are best planted in the early spring, after the last frost, as they require up to two years to bloom after germination and three months to generate leaves.
The most well-known type of coneflower is, by far, the purple form, Echinacea purpurea. It is more tolerant of dividing and transplanting because of its fibrous root system, which is different from other native species’ extensive taproots and woody crowns.
Coneflowers can be divided to create new plants and germinate well from seed. Although frequently with less success, they can also be grown from stem cuttings. They are simple to locate in garden centers and are also available via mail order. Coneflowers begin to bloom in the early summer and continue to do so until one of the first frosts. After their initial blooming phase, they might pause but soon produce additional flower buds.
Coneflowers are frequently described as drought-tolerant plants, but they benefit greatly from consistent irrigation. A good water source should come from daily watering.
7. Water Lilies
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Several dozen plant species from the genus Nymphaea are known as water lilies. Although they are found in most parts of the globe, their native habitats include South Africa, the northern hemisphere, and Australia. A water lily is admired for its exceptional beauty despite the apparent differences between the many kinds. They often have delicate, frequently vibrant flowers and big, floating foliage.
Ponds and other big outdoor water features are perfect places for water lilies. Many people are curious about their ability to be cultivated indoors because they are such lovely plants, and they want to enjoy them every day. Although it is conceivable, growing water lilies indoors is very challenging.
In the end, even if you give plants the ideal conditions for growth, they might not bloom. If you have a water feature outdoors and would like to attract dragonflies, water lilies are ideal. Not only are you helping yourself keep mosquitoes away, but you’re also beautifying your ponds with these water plants. You might even pair these with pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), as these are other aquatic plants that thrive in wetlands.
A whisky barrel or planter are excellent substitutes for wet features if you don’t have a pond. Before purchasing your plant, be sure to do some research on its potential size. A six-foot-wide water lily won’t grow well in a whisky barrel or a tiny tub.
Conclusion
The plants mentioned above are sure to attract dragonflies instantly to your home.
Most of these plants are also relatively easy to look after, so beginners are welcome!
- Because dragonflies can be considered beneficial insects since they control mosquito populations, attracting them should be easy if you pick the right plants.
- Planting pond plants like water lilies is a good idea. Other similar plants include water horsetail, lotuses and wild celery.
- What attracts dragonflies to your yard will greatly affect the type of plant you choose to grow. For example, growing common sage may not be as effective as growing meadow sage.
So, which of these perennials that attract dragonflies will you be growing?
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