|
|
|
Previous Information Item
|
 Next Information Item
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Information Item
|
Next Information Item
|
|
A grandfather once told me he needs plants that attract butterflies in his garden. Not only do they attract butterflies but they attract grandchildren. His grandchildren love to come to his house and search for butterflies. It is a unique experience that they share together. There is nothing more exciting than to see the eyes of a child looking in awe at the beauty of a butterfly. A butterfly garden is an attraction bringing children into the miracle of a garden. If we can teach our youth the tender beauties of life they will grow up to become better people. Planting plants that attract butterflies is a great idea. Butterflies need nectar plants that produce the sweet fluids that they use as foods. They also require plants to lay their eggs and where caterpillars can feed. Flowering plants that produce the nectar should be clustered together and of complimentary colors. Gardens should be located in areas that are easily viewed. Host plants where eggs are laid and where caterpillars feed should be located a short distance from the flowering nectar-producing plants. Butterflies like a sunny location. Caterpillars can do great damage to your garden and should be located in a separate area. Do not use insecticides on the host plant as it will kill the caterpillars. I will supply you with two lists of plants necessary for a successful Butterfly Garden - nectar plants and host plants. You will need both in order to produce a Butterfly Garden. Nectar plants: These are plants that flower producing the sweet nectar substance that attract butterflies. It is important to have flowers in bloom throughout the season. Annuals are very useful as they bloom throughout the season. Avoid double flowers, stick to short tubular flowers or flowers with large flat petals. Mass your colors. Annuals: Ageratum, Asters, Cosmos, Helitrope, Impatiens, Lantana, Marigolds, Nasturtium, Salvia, Sunflowers, Verbena, Zinnias. Perennial plants: Aster, (Aster species), Bee-Balm, ( Monarda didyma), Black-eyed Susan, (Rudbeckia species), Boltania (Boltonia asteroides), Bugle (Ajuja reptans), Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa), Chives ( Allium schoenoprasum), Coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea), Coreopsis ( Coreopsis species), Daisy, shasta ( Chrysanthemum maximum), Daylily ( Hemerocalis species), False Indigo ( Baptisia australis), Gayfeather ( Liatris species), Goldenrod ( Solidago species), Hibiscus, ( Hibiscus species), Hollyhock, ( Althaea rosea), Ironweed ( Veronica species), Joe Pye Weed ( Eupatorium fistulosum), Leadplant, ( Amorpha fruiticosa), Lobelia, ( Lobelia cardinalis), Milkweed (Asclepias species), Mountain Mint (Pycanthemum species), Phlox ( Phlox paniculata), Sedum, ( Sedum species), Thistle, ( Cirsium species), Trees and shrubs: Blueberry (Vacinium species), Buckeye (Aesculus Prvifolia), Butterfly Bush Buddlea davidii), Buttonbush (Cephalanthus Occidentalis), Hawthorn (Crataegus species), Mock Orange (Philadelphus species), Pear (Pyrus communis), Plum (Prunus species), Redbud (Cercis), Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), Silverling (Baccharis species), Spirea (Spirea species), Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia), Viburnum (Viburnum species). Host Plants (Suggested larval Food Plants): Aster (Aster species), Cherry laurel, black cherry, wild plum (Pyrus species), Clovers (Trifolium species) and other legumes. Dill. Carrot, parsley, fennel, Queen Anne's Lace (Umbelliferae: Parsley family), Dogwoods (Cornus species) and viburnum, Hackberries (Celtis species), Milkweed (Asclepias species), Mustard family. Native grasses, Oaks (Quercus species), Passion flowers (Passiflora species), Paw paw (Asimina species), Pearly everlasting (Antemaria, Anaphalas, Gnaphalium), Pipevines (Aristolochia species), Plantains (Plantago species) and snapdragon, Sassafras (Sassafras occidentalis), Senna, coffeeweed (Cassia species) Spicebush ( Lindera benzoin), Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera). You may be lucky enough to have host plants in your neighborhood or surrounding wood area. Add some of the herbaceous plants recommended for larvae food to the back of your garden. This is a simple and inexpensive addition to any garden. Different caterpillars feed on different host plants producing different colored Butterflies. You may be able to attract butterflies to your area from surrounding trees. Try planting a Butterfly Bush in a very sunny area underplanted with a large display of nectar producing annuals in strong colors. See what happens and take it from there. Adding water and a rotten piece of fruit can add to the attraction. As you become more intrigued by this subject you can become creative in your garden design.
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Information Item
|
Next Information Item
|