To be most attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, the native species I list below are the preferred selection. If you find that your nursery only has cultivars available, those can also attract pollinators. Look for cultivars and hybrids that resemble the species most closely (similar size, coloring, flower shape).

Here are some deer resistant and hummingbird/ butterfly attracting perennials to consider that will be successful in USDA zones 6 and 7 (Westchester County):

•  Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) and Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) - monarch butterfly, other butterflies, hummingbirds and native bees
•  Rudbeckia fulgida, and R. laciniata (blackeyed Susan) - butterflies including great spangled fritillary and native bees
•  Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) - black swallowtail butterfly
•  Aquilegia canadensis (wild columbine) - hummingbirds, butterflies
•  Monarda didyma, M. fistulosa (bee balm, wild bergamot) - butterflies, especially tiger swallowtail, and hummingbirds, native bees
•  Salvia lyrata (lyreleaf sage) - butterflies and hummingbirds

There are so many more to choose from! Have a look at this Guide to Attracting Monarch Butterflies in the Northeast from the Xerces Society and NYBG's Guide to Butterfly Gardens. If you see something you like and wonder if it is deer resistant, please contact NYBG's Plant Information Office (Plantinfo@NYBG.org) and we can check for you.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service