Butterfly Gardening
Butterflies are often referred to as “flying flowers” and it’s no wonder. They come in so many different sizes and colors. As the long, warm days of summer continue, I am always amazed at how many butterflies we start to see. By spending a little time planning a butterfly garden, it’s possible to have these beautiful insects visit your yard as well.
The most important requirement for a butterfly garden are plants that are attractive to them. Adults need nectar plants and prefer plants with large, flat flower heads that are fragrant. Also consider planting host plants for the larvae to encourage several generations of butterflies to stay within your garden.
Suggested Nectar Plants
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii)
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Daylillies (Hemerocallis sp.)
Viburnums (Viburnum sp.)
Marigolds
Petunias
Provide an alternative food source such as a butterfly feeder. If you make your own butterfly nectar, 8 parts of water to one part of sugar is the recommended solution. Clean and refill your butterfly feeder every 5 to 6 days, more often in hot weather. Some butterflies are attracted to over-ripe fruit, such as bananas, plums, pears and watermelon.
Sunshine is essential to butterflies as they need it to warm themselves. Place several large, flat rocks in a sunny part of your garden. Butterflies will use them for basking.
Consider adding a shallow birdbath to your garden. Place a few rocks in the bottom so the butterflies have a place to perch while they take a sip of water.
Certain kinds of butterflies, like the Sulfur butterflies in the photo, will congregate in mud puddles. To attract them, provide a damp area in the garden or form a shallow mud puddle. The butterflies extract minerals from these areas so add salt from time to time. Another option is to fill a bird bath or shallow pan with sand, keep it damp and add salt occasionally.
Shelter is another requirement. Consider allowing a corner of your yard to become overgrown or start a wildflower planting. Log piles and butterfly houses can both be used to provide shelter. Mount your butterfly house 3-4 feet off the ground near flowers that butterflies are attracted to and in the shade to keep the butterflies from overheating. Be sure to add bark strips to the house so the butterflies have something to cling to. Hibernating butterflies may also use the house. Ten species of butterflies in the 48 contiguous states hibernate including Mourning cloak, Compton Tortoise Shell, Millbert’s Tortoise Shell, California Tortoise Shell, Hoary Coma(Zephyr), Question Mark, Angel Wing-Satyr, Green Comma, Gray Comma and the Red Admiral.
By taking the time to add these elements to your garden or by creating a new garden just for the butterflies, you will be rewarded with the sight of these lovely “flying flowers” floating through your garden on warm summer days.
To help you get started with your butterfly garden, click HERE to purchase butterfly products.
