{"id":1682238,"date":"2021-08-02T17:16:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T22:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1682238"},"modified":"2021-08-02T17:16:00","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T22:16:00","slug":"attracting-dragonflies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/attracting-dragonflies\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Plants That Attract Dragonflies"},"content":{"rendered":"Skimmers (a flashy family of dragonflies) are unique among dragonflies for their diversity of colors, wing patterns and habits. They arguably are the most easily identifiable group due to their beautiful coloration and uniquely patterned wings, which can be quite showy. By the way, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/collection\/best-foods-to-attract-birds\/\">these foods will attract birds to your backyard<\/a>.\r\n\r\nWhile common around water, these dragonflies also frequent backyard gardens. They\u2019ll perch on garden plants to scout potential insect prey or soak up warmth from a sun-drenched stone. With bodies up to 2-1\/2 inches long, these garden bugs aren\u2019t quite as large as darners. But what they lack in size, they make up for with their colorful and assertive nature. In fact, their behavior can be as showy as their appearance. Males typically are very territorial at breeding sites, displaying aggression by chasing competing males in what can be likened to an aviation performance of vertical loops and side-by-side flight displays. And they glide with amazing speed while chasing insects like mosquitoes. Natural pest control is another reason they\u2019re very good bugs for your garden.\r\n\r\nTo make your garden more attractive to skimmers, give them three things: food, water and places to perch. Keep your garden organic and grow flowers rich in nectar to help create a continual bug buffet. Even something as small as a birdbath can provide the water. Perching spots usually aren\u2019t a problem since by its very nature, a garden already has plenty such places. And don\u2019t forget a cozy bench or chair parked near a flower bed. After all, you\u2019ll want a front-row seat to enjoy the skimmer show! Check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/expert-tips-for-attracting-hummingbirds\/\">tips for attracting hummingbirds<\/a>.\r\n<h4>Six Plants to Attract Dragonflies<\/h4>\r\n<strong>Aster<\/strong> (<em>Aster<\/em> spp)\u2014Perennial with a profusion of daisylike flowers from late summer through fall. Grows in full sun from 6-inch compact mounds to spreading plants up to 6 feet in height. Best in <a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 8<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<strong>Cleome<\/strong> (<em>Cleome hasslerana<\/em>)\u2014Marginally frost-hardy annual bearing clusters of spiderlike summer flowers. Flowers may self seed and stems are often spiny. Grows from 4 to 6 feet tall in full sun.\r\n\r\n<strong>Coneflower<\/strong> (<em>Echinacea<\/em> spp)\u2014Long-blooming perennial with daisylike flowers summer through fall. A drought-tolerant and heat-resistant choice, it grows from 1 to 5 feet tall in full sun to light shade. Zones 3 to 9.\r\n\r\n<strong>Coreopsis<\/strong> (<em>Coreopsis<\/em> spp)\u2014Easy-to-grow perennials and annuals that bloom profusely from summer through fall. Compact plants with self-sowing tendencies grow from 1 to 4 feet tall in full sun. Zones 3 to 11.\r\n\r\n<strong>Rudbeckia<\/strong> (<em>Rudbeckia<\/em> spp)\u2014Also known as coneflower, gloriosa daisy or black-eyed Susan, these showy annuals and perennials produce daisylike flowers from summer to fall. The plants grow in full sun to 6 feet tall, with dwarf strains 1 to 2 feet tall. Zones 3 to 9.\r\n\r\n<strong>Zinnia<\/strong> (<em>Zinnia<\/em> spp)\u2014Hot weather annuals flower in full sun from summer until frost. Zinnias grow in a diversity of shapes, sizes and colors, from 12 inches to 4 feet tall.\r\n\r\nNext, read up on these tips and tricks for h<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/how-to-attract-bluebirds\/\">ow to attract bluebirds<\/a>.","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some of the most beautiful of garden bugs, skimmer dragonflies eat pest insects, making them great additions to your 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