As a frequent visitor of the Butterfly Pavilion* not far from my house, I became fascinated with the idea of having these lovely creatures take refuge in my backyard.  Outside the butterfly pavilion, is planted a garden designed to attract butterflies.  I resolve to plan a butterfly garden of my own.

The Joy of a Butterfly Garden

Butterflies in the garden, what could be better?  When starting a butterfly garden consider that you have to meet the need of the delicate-looking creatures.  You have to provided food, water, shelter and a nursery for their "babies."  When you do your homework and plan correctly, you will be rewarded with butterflies all a flutter.

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.

See partial plant list

The key to an enjoyable butterfly garden is to have plants available for each of the four life-cycles of the butterfly.  If you take the time to plan you will be rewarded with more butterfly guests.