by Sydney Smith
One of the simplest and most rewarding improvements that can
be made to any size yard is a butterfly garden. Perhaps one of
a few insects that truly delight us with their presence,
butterflies add color, beauty, and peace to our
environment—they are the essence of nature's gentler side.
A butterfly garden is also an inexpensive way to begin an
urban wildlife sanctuary. New gardeners can try their hand with
a small sunny patch of ground before deciding whether to add
more costly fruit- and seed-producing shrubs to attract birds
and other wildlife. And a butterfly garden is a perfect summer
project for children, who are as fascinated as adults are with
these delicate winged creatures.
The annuals and perennials favored by butterflies are easy
to find and plant and provide nearly instantaneous results in
attracting many species of beautiful "flying flowers." A few
well-chosen nectar plants can provide a rest stop for some
butterfly species; add some appropriate herbs and you've
increased the chances that the adults will deposit eggs. The
sunny side of your house or the length of a fence can be
transformed into a veritable paradise. Alternatively, if space
is limited, plants that attract butterflies also can be placed
in window boxes. Though it's quite easy to prepare a banquet
for butterflies, there are several important considerations
that will help contribute to your garden's success.
Butterfly Basics
Butterflies belong to the insect order Lepidoptera, which
includes more than 25,000 different species throughout the
world. North America is home to more than 700 species of
butterflies divided into a few main families: swallowtails,
whites and sulphurs, gossamer-winged, metalmarks, brush-foots,
and skippers. There are two main body types: the Papilionidae
family, butterflies with narrow bodies and large wings, and the
Hesperiidae family, those with smaller, more triangular wing
shapes.
Butterflies have a four-stage developmental cycle, termed
metamorphosis. It begins with the egg, which hatches into a
larva, or caterpillar. After a few weeks of feeding, the larva
develops into a pupa, also called a chrysalis, within which it
transforms into the beautiful adult. Females deposit eggs under
or near the leaves of plants on which larvae will feed,
yielding one or two broods per year; most butterfly species
live only about a month, though monarchs can live as long as
nine months. Unbelievably, these seemingly fragile creatures
have constitutions strong enough to allow migration. Many
species migrate to some degree, but usually in a single
direction, following food. The most majestic, and true
(two-way), migration occurs when monarchs that have hatched in
late summer and fall make their long journey from the United
States and Canada to their primary wintering grounds in the
mountains of Mexico, a trip of nearly 3,000 miles. They return
north in the spring. To complete their autumn trek, butterflies
need to find numerous stopover points to rest and refuel. By
planting late-blooming flowers in your yard, you just might
help them on their journey.
Habitat Needs
Nectar, of course, is the primary food source for adult
butterflies. But butterflies can also receive sustenance from
the juices of overripe fruit. Host plants—those that provide
food for larvae—are also important and are not necessarily the
same plants required by adults of a particular species. While
butterflies frequent many different nectar sources, many in the
larval stage will eat only specific types of foliage. Nectar
and foliage plants should be included in any garden that's
rolling out the welcome mat.
As with all living creatures, water is vital and can be
easily incorporated into your butterfly garden. Some simple
water holders can be a very shallow water dish and a rock with
depressions that collect small amounts of water. A dish of wet
sand or a small in-ground sandy area can be provided and may
present an opportunity to witness the phenomenon called
puddling, where "flocks" of butterflies gather to siphon water
and minerals.
Rocks also serve as important sources of heat for
butterflies. Basking on light- to medium-colored, sun-warmed
stones helps butterflies maintain or raise their body
temperatures, especially after a cool morning dew.
Planning Your Garden Step by
Step
To know which plants you will need for your butterfly
garden, research the different varieties of butterflies that
visit or live in your area. Local garden clubs, universities,
county extension agencies, and nature centers can help with
this information. Once you know which butterflies frequent your
area, choose nectar and larval food plants that those species
prefer (include enough plants for both you and the
caterpillars!). If you are successful in attracting female
butterflies to lay eggs, be prepared to endure several weeks of
chewed leaves in the summer.
Choose plants that have small clusters of flowers or flat
single blooms that are easy to perch on. Plant in groupings,
with several plants of the same kind clustered together. Vary
the height and color of the plants. Be sure to choose plants
with different bloom times, to ensure that nectar is
continuously available.
Evaluate your yard or other area for the best place or
places to establish your butterfly garden. Choose sunny
locations that are sheltered from winds. You don't need to
plant everything in one spot; plant groupings can be arranged
throughout the yard. Before planting, you may wish to place the
plants in containers to make sure you like the arrangement.
Drawing a diagram also may help you visualize how the plants
will look in your garden. Add some large rocks or bricks as
basking sites, and don't forget to include a shallow water
source. Avoid the use of insecticides or fertilizers of any
kind on or near plants for butterflies; even organic controls
can kill these winged creatures.
