Does Angelonia Attract Butterflies?

Angelonia blooms are a great choice of flowers to attract butterflies. The plants are colorful and provide lots of nectar even in early spring when few other flowers are available to help raise your insect population. Butterflies gather together in groups of Angelonia stems, or they fly between the crowns of single plants. In the wild parts of our area, it can grow up trees and wrap around them. When a butterfly wants to live, it moves from one flower that may not be attractive or enjoy the taste of its food source so much as others in the area to another plant where it will feel at home. If they like what they see, their choice is made easier when moving onto another bird feeder nearby with even better nectar and sugar water or another bird feeder to soak up the nectar from. It gets even more interesting if you are an avid gardener looking for ways to attract butterflies naturally. Painted angels include both red crowns features on the center can be noticed better in a clump than in single plants.

However, while angelonia is known to attract butterflies, it’s not necessarily deer-resistant. Deer are known to browse various plants, and while angelonia may not be their first choice, they may still nibble on the foliage if other food sources are scarce. If you’re looking to plant angelonia and want to prevent deer damage, you may need to take additional measures, such as fencing or using deer repellents.

Another important feature is that Angelonia attracts bees because they will leave their hive if the flower manages no pollen. According to USDA data on herbaceous perennial plant populations, it attracts bees because of its many nectars, including throat juice. This means that the flowers are bright and colorful, with different shades of yellow and red in them.

It is grown as an annual in the North, while it is considered a perennial in frost-free areas. The majority of angelonia varieties reach a height of 12 to 18 inches on average. The angelonia bloom should not be confused with larger white-flowered butterfly weed (Asclepias).

Angelonia Plants: Care and Growing Instructions

Now you know that Angelonias attract butterflies, here’s how you can grow a healthy Angelonias. They are a perennial in summer flowerbeds because of their hardy nature and long-lasting blooming habit. After a week away, your plants will be ready to welcome you back with blooms thanks to the scent of grapes and nectar-rich flowers.

Light

Make sure your angelonias get plenty of sunlight so that they can keep blooming all day long. Without six hours of direct sunlight per day, plants wither and produce sparse blooms. A well-lit spot is also important in the dormant season.

Soil

Angelonia plants can tolerate a wide range of soils, but soil rich in organic matter will reduce watering and fertilizing requirements. If your soil is very clay-like, you might want to grow Angelonia in raised beds or small pots.

Watering

Water Angelonia plants are hardy and will continue to bloom even in a lack of water. Only water when the soil on the surface feels dry. If the plants are well-drained, additional water is acceptable.

Humidity and Temperature

Angelonia plants thrive in hot, humid conditions during the summer months. Sweltering conditions are ideal for them to thrive in the southernmost reaches of the United States. Even in the arid climate of the Southwest, Angelonias can thrive with just a little extra water.

Fertilizer

Angelonia plants are light feeders, and overfeeding them can result in an abundance of foliage at the expense of flowers. Also, you can opt to plant your flowers with a 10-5-10 or 12-12-12 timed-release fertilizer mix, which will eliminate the need to re-fertilize your plants.

Propagating

You can quickly grow Angelonia from stem cuttings. Snip a 3-in long piece from the end of an Angelonia stalk. A cutting devoid of flowers is ideal. A rootless stem can’t support more than the top two leaves of the cutting, so remove the rest. Insert the rooting hormone-coated cut end into a moist potting mix. Plant your new seedling in the garden as soon as the fresh leaves appear.

Pruning

In contrast to many other annuals, Angelonia plants do not require deadheading to encourage blooming. Cutting the plants back, on the other hand, encourages bushier growth.