Butterfly Gardening

How to attract butterflies to your garden. 

Before you run out and buy a butterfly bush or hibernation box, there are some things you need to know.

First, butterfly gardening is as important as it is fun. Natural habitats for butterflies are dwindling and many species of butterflies endangered. I am not an expert, but butterfly gardening is a obsession hobby of mine. One of the things I found most interesting is that the plants that are thought to attract butterflies such as butterfly bushes, and lilacs may not be the right plant for the butterflies in your area. The best way to plant the right food for the butterflies native to your area is to plant flowering plants that are native to your area. (See the connection?)  To find native plants for your area you can visit: www.wildflower.org Some of the plants in my area beneficial to butterflies are: thistles, violets, willow herb, goldenrod, asters, azaleas, hollyhock, blackeye susans, and legumes such as peas. Even some weeds are beneficial for butterflies (as well as other wildlife). So now you have an excuse to leave an idle spot in your yard :).  Also, while we are here, insecticides are generally not butterfly friendly.

Also mud, yes, mud is important to butterflies. They need the minerals contained in mud puddles. An easy way to create a mud puddle is to dig a hole, place a non drainable container in it, fill mostly with dirt and then water it each time you fill your birdbaths or water your garden.

Once you have spotted adult butterflies and know the areas in your yard they like to visit, you can leave pieces of banana or older orange and apple slices on wood bark for them to feast on.

Hibernation boxes and butterfly houses, although pretty, are hardly ever actually used by butterflies. They are great for promoting the idea of butterfly gardening, but not as wonderful for the actual butterfly. It has been my experience that humming birds and bees like them a lot though. Butterflies usually hide in natural spots such as under rocks and in dense bushes during stormy and windy weather. 

Still don't have butterflies?  You can buy eggs, caterpillars, or kits. Once the caterpillars have changed into butterflies you release them and with any luck they will enjoy your garden and lay eggs there. You can also buy live butterflies for release at weddings and other events.

 www.butterfliesetc.com sells eggs, caterpillars, and has a ton of information on butterflies.

www.thebutterflysite.com is the best site I have found yet on butterflies, they have extensive information on native butterflies, butterfly kits, and live butterfly release information.

Both sites provide detailed information on the butterflies in your area and their natural foods.

(These are non-sponsored links)