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antipodi
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Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:51 am
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 How to encourage a butterfly garden
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How to encourage a butterfly garden
 
For a successful butterfly garden you must supply all the components butterflies need to survive on, food, water, direct sunlight, shelter, breeding, and a place to hibernate, while still having a garden that suites your taste and needs. You have a variety of plants to choose from (Annuals, perennials, Trees, shrubs, vines, and even herbs.) The plants that butterflies favor the most for food are often the same ones that gardeners choose for their gardens. See the bottom of this page for a list of 42 of the most popular butterfly nectar plants..
 
#1 Butterflies need and enjoy direct sunlight, It's a good idea to have an open area in your garden for butterflies to bask in. A flat rock, rocky area, or a sandy area, are just a few ideas you can use. Butterflies are cold-blooded creatures, they need the sun to absorb enough warmth for their daily activities. Some butterflies bask in the sun with their wings open, while others bask with their wings closed. Basking provides the gardener with an opportunity to observe, or take photos.
#2 Butterflies need a place to roost for the night. They often choose a spot in a bush, or sometimes the underside of a leaf. They like to be in a camouflaged area.
#3 Shelter is an important factor in a butterflies existence. It provides a safe haven from inclement weather, such as wind and rain. Providing shelter helps to keep butterflies safe in your garden. Shrub foliage, or any other type of leafed or wooded area will help to shelter them. An overgrown area will resemble the butterfly's natural habitat, and will provide more protection from the weather and their other dangers more than a single flower border garden. If you do not like the appearance of an overgrown garden try planting tall shrubs, vines, or trees around the perimeter of your garden to provide a windbreak.
#4 Water plays an important part in a butterfly's habitat. Known as "Mud- puddling". Butterflies obtain moisture and other essential nutrients and minerals from the water you provide for them. Streams and ponds (new), natural or artificial are a must for a butterfly garden. Adding salt to your butterflies water supply gives them the sodium they need. Mud-puddling usually occurs during the warmest hours of the day. Butterflies prefer to land on the moist dirt or sand on the sides of the puddle, rather than directly in the water itself, here they can obtain moisture without putting themselves in any danger.
#5 Butterflies need a place to hibernate. Some butterflies spend the winter months hibernating in crevices of trees and walls. You can provide your own butterfly hibernation house in your garden. Be sure it is hung in a shady area, so the butterflies won't become overheated inside. Building a hibernation house is an easy process: Start with a rectangular wooden box with narrow vertical holes cut into it, for them to enter and exit. You should place long strips of bark or something similar for them to cling to.
#6 Butterflies need a place for breeding.You must supply what is known as "Host plants". After mating, the female immediately searches for the proper host plant to lay her eggs. Place your host plants near a place of shelter. Most butterflies are named for their favorite host plants. The Monarch (a member of the milkweed butterflies) with milkweed (Asclepias), Lure the Pipe Vine Swallowtail with pipe vine (Aristolochia), the Spicebush Swallowtail with spicebush (Lindera benzoin), the European Cabbage Butterfly with members of the cabbage family, and the Orange Sulfur with alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Various carrot family members, such as Queen-Anne's-lace (Daucus Carota) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum) will attract the Black Swallowtail. The Gray Hairstreak uses many different types of host plants, such as clover (Trifolium), hibiscus, and mallow (Malva). The Painted Lady uses a variety of host plants also, including thistle (Cirsium), mallow (Malva neglecta), and hollyhock (Alcea). The host plants that you provide will attract only those specific butterflies. And in most cases, the larvae will leave other garden plants untouched.
#7 Feeding your butterflies! You can supply food (nectar) for your butterflies by adding a meadow type garden, which is a garden that is grown wild with grasses and wildflowers. butterflies are attracted to the open areas of this type of garden, it resembles there natural habitat. Another way is to use simple potted butterfly flowers, hanging or stationary. Using the potted butterfly flowers, gives the gardener the opportunity to move them around the yard, porch, or deck. Try placing one near a window, and see the beauty and enjoyment it will bring you and your family.
Homemade feeders are another alternative food source for butterflies. You can make your own nectar solution of sugar water. Mix 4 parts water with 1 part white granulated sugar, boil the solution for several minutes until the sugar is dissolved, and let the solution cool. Store extra solution in the refrigerator, it will keep for up to a week. Homemade feeders can be made with a flat dish with an absorbent material such as tissue paper or plastic kitchen scouring pads (this gives the butterflies a place to perch while they drink. If possible try keeping the feeders about 6 inches higher than your tallest flowers. The flowers will attract the butterflies and the feeders will stand out offering an alternative food source. Always wash the dish and change the solution at least once per week, during the very hot months they should be changed at least twice per week.
 
Below is a list of some of the most popular butterfly plants for your garden:
Yarrow Pink (Dianthus) Petunia
Ageratum, flossflower Purple coneflower Phlox
Rockcress Globethistle Primrose
Butterfly weed, milkweed Echium Rhododendron
Aster Gaillardia Black-eyed-susan, Daisy's
Astilbe, meadowsweet Sunflower Pincushion-flower
Bougainvillea Daylily Showy stonecrop
Buddleia davidii Candytuft Goldenrod
Cornflower, bachelor's-button Impatiens Lilac
Wallflower Lantana Marigold
Chrysanthemum Lavendar Verbena
Coreopsis Lobelia Viburnum
Cosmos Sweet alyssum Wisteria
Dahlia Honeysuckle Zinnia
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Antipodi
May one day man and Animals live together in harmony and peace
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jsqueek
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Joined: 24 Feb 2006
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Location: UK
Wed Aug 16, 2006 12:16 pm
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we have loads of butterflies in our garden
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js
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antipodi
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Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:06 am
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We get a lot of Butterflies in spring but there are more birds around cause of all the big gums and mulberry trees ...these seem to attract parrots and cockatoos
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Antipodi
May one day man and Animals live together in harmony and peace
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jsqueek
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Joined: 24 Feb 2006
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Location: UK
Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:01 am
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parrots and cockatoos  
we have plants called budlia (may be spelt wrong)
anyway these attract butterflies.
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js
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antipodi
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Sat Aug 19, 2006 10:33 am
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A garden with lots of nectar flowers usually will atrract many butterflies from all the reading I have done ...trouble is I am not the worlds greatest gardener and can onl manage a few flowers each year...but it still attracts quiet a few butterflies
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Antipodi
May one day man and Animals live together in harmony and peace
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