Creating a butterfly garden is a delightful way to bring vibrant colors and lively activity into your outdoor space. Not only do butterflies add beauty, but they also play a crucial role in ...

For example, I have noticed that gulf fritillaries and zebra longwings (the Florida State butterfly) are attracted to the pinks and purples of pentas (Pentas spp.) and verbenas (Verbena spp.).

The pentas fulfills all those preferences but the fragrance. Planted in loamy, moderately moist soil, a small one-gallon potted plant will turn into a compact, bloom-covered shrub in a single summer.

Pentas prefer full to partial sun -- about 4 to 8 hours of direct sun during a day. Plant transplants about 12-16 inches apart in a well-prepared, raised landscape bed.

Pentas blossoms tend to come in red, white, yellow, pink, and purple. Red is the best for attracting hummers, but pink, yellow, and other bright hues also pique the interest of these dainty birds.

Plants to consider include angelonia, balsam (Impatiens balsamina), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), blue daze (Evolvulus glomeratus), celosia, coleus, dahlberg daisy (Thymophylla tenuiloba ...

Annuals to consider include angelonia, begonias (wax and dragon wing begonia), coleus, moss rose (portulaca spp.), ornamental peppers, tropical sage, milkweed (asclepias spp.), pentas, spider ...

Pentas tolerate sun to bright shade and are best in an organically enriched, well-draining soil. June 30, 2007. Kathy Huber. Garden Editor, Houston Chronicle.

Pentas will last throughout the year. Pentas lanceolata, commonly known as penta or star flower, is a perennial flower that can grow into a 3 to 4 ft. shrub, lasting years in the garden.

However, they are tender — neither vincas nor pentas are able to tolerate freezes without significant damage or death. As winter cold moves in and freezes occur, the plants will be damaged.