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Of course, one of the key things to think
about when planning a butterfly garden is what species of butterfly lives in your area and what
types you want to attract It is important to do thorough research on exactly which plants and
flowers will attract these species of butterflies. Once you work out this decision and decide
which types of butterflies you want flying around and visiting your home, then simply create
your butterfly gardening plan around those species.
One way to come up with a good butterfly
garden design is to draw and color a layout of your butterfly garden plan to see what it will
look like when finished. Keep in mind that warm colors like red and orange are flashy and showy.
These colors have a greater impact against a strong green background. Cool colors such as blue
and purple are soothing and toned down and would work better with a white contrast to create the
look of freshness and brightness.
Some of the plants you might think about
including in your garden include Milkweed, Honeysuckle, Day Lilies, Lavendar, Yellow Sage,
Valerian, Sunflower, Daisies, Purple Coneflower, Summer Lilac
Although your are primarily attracting butterflies native to
your geographic area, a well-designed garden will attract many migrating butterflies.
Wouldn't it be great to see a monarch on her way from Central America to your backyard.
You can certainly plan a colorful selection of flowering
plants, but keep in mind that it is not the color that is important to your wanted guests, it is
the nectar. It is nectar-rich flowers needed for energy needs they are really after.
Color attract them, but nectar makes them happy. Instead of selecting common plants like
geraniums or petunias, which are certainly colorful, pick flower rich in nectar. Zinnias,
my favorite, cosmos and verbena serve a dual purpose - nectar and color.
The challenge in designing a butterfly garden is to provide
food for the four stages in the life-cycle of a
butterfly -- (egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (butterfly).
Keep in mind too that the adult butterflies that visit your garden are not only looking for food
but also for a place to start their nursery (lay their eggs). The plants in your butterfly
garden must provide: a nectar source, host plants, and shelter.
The nursery is placed on plants that the emerged caterpillars
will consume. When the caterpillars are full they form a cocoon and change into an adult.
The adult life as a is only about two short weeks.
When picking the variety of plants choose those that bloom at
different times of the season. This will make your garden a lot more attractive to a wider
assortment of butterflies. It is best if you plant the same kind flowers in
clusters. Places plants in such a way that you have several different colors and flower
heights in your garden.
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