Backyard Habitat
Butterflies
A butterfly garden will be beautiful, no matter what size it takes will attract those gems to your yard. Here are some helpful tips for creating your own garden:
:wink: Sunny gardens attract the most butterflies, so plant in the brightest part of your garden.
:wink: Some important details to consider should include sunny spots for basking, shelter from wind and rain and sources for fresh water. Mud or sand puddles are used by adult male butterflies to obtain essential salts, needed for reproduction.
:wink: Nectar plants provide food for a variety of adult butterflies, while different hostplants, supply the young caterpillars with food. Keep in mind that nectar plants may also serve as host plants to some species. You may want to include both in your garden.
:wink: Most caterpillars feed only on specific types of host plants, so female adult butterflies deposit their eggs only on those plants their offspring will eat. By including host plants in your garden, you could witness the entire life cycle of the butterfly.
:wink: Choose plants that will bloom at different times throughout the season. Try experimenting with a variety of plants that appeal to different butterfly species.
:wink: Pesticides can harm butterflies, so avoid using them whenever possible.
:wink: Do some research before you begin planting to determine which plants to use in your zone and how much space is needed for each plant. You may want to check out the internet, library and also ask your local botanical societies if there are any restrictions on particular plant species within your area.
www.olbrich.org
www.rachelsgardens.com
:arrow: A Regional Guide to Butterfly Gardening
:arrow: Region 5
Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, southeast Manitoba
:idea: Pipevine Swallowtail
(Battus philenor)
:idea: Pipevines (Aristolochia spp.)
:idea: Black Swallowtail
(Papilio polyxenes)
:idea: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
:idea: Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
:idea: Carrot (Daucus carota)
:idea: Dill (Anethum graveolens)
:idea: Spicebush Swallowtail
(Papilio troilus)
:idea: Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
:idea: Sassafrass (Sassafrass albidum)
:idea: Great Spangled Fritillary
(Speyeria cybele)
:idea: Violet (Viola spp.)
:idea: Buckeye
(Junonia coenia)
:idea: Snapdragon (Antirrhinum spp.)
:idea: Verbena (Verbenaceae)
:idea: Pearl Crescent
(Phyciodes tharos)
:idea: Asters (Asteraceae)
:idea: Viceroy
(Limenitis archippus)
:idea: Willows (Salix spp.)
:idea: Poplars (Populus spp.)
:idea: Plums and Cherries (Prunus spp.)
:idea: Cabbage White
(Pieris rapae)
:idea: Garden Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
:idea: Cabbage (Brassica spp.)
:idea: Monarch
(Danaus plexippus)
:idea: Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
:idea: Cloudless Sulphur
(Phoebis sennae)
:idea: Wild Senna (Cassia spp.)
FLOWERS (Nectar Sources)
The following are excellent sources of nectar for your Butterfly Garden and can be purchased at most retail nurseries and garden centers throughout the country. Plant these in abundance where regionally available:
*Buddleia
*Heliotrope
*Lantana
*Milkweed
*Mint
*Pentas
*Porterweed
*Verbena
*Zinnias
Linear Mode
