When I was growing up, we always seemed to have tons of butterflies in our yards and gardens. I don't seem to have that now, though, so what should I do to attract them more?
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When I was growing up, we always seemed to have tons of butterflies in our yards and gardens. I don't seem to have that now, though, so what should I do to attract them more?
Find out what plants and bushes are native to your area and plant them. I have milkweed, parsley, passion vine in the flower garden. Those are host plants. I also have native plum, blueberry, serviceberry and goldenrod and of course, a butterfly bush also is works wonders. This time of year I see loads of butterflies in the yard, landing on the flowers for nectar and laying their eggs on the host plants. Oh, also some zinnia, they love zinnias.
I hope this helps. The host plants can be started from seed, very easy.
christine
We use buddleja (butterfly bush) in Britain. Our native butterfly's love it. I don't know if it's the same in America but you could always give it a go.
I grow alot of coneflowers and it really seems to attract them, also beebalm is supposed to be good as well,
Here is an article I wrote on attracting butterflies to your garden. You might find it helpful: http://davidsgardeningtips.wordpress...fly-gardening/
Hi
Coming into Spring Butterflies do like Lavender, Primroses, Forget me not, Sweet william and Bluebells.
Dan the Gardener
All great advice..I will add..
GO ORGANIC...
or use chemical sprays responsibily
The butterflies here really seem to like our Sedum Spectabile.
Nowadays end of greenery and due to pollution butterflies end in city but it now available in rural areas.
+1 on the butterfly bush vote. If they grow in your area, they will be loaded with butterflies by mid-summer!
I have two butterfly bushes and cone flowers, I have found the butterflies love both. I didn't know they liked parsley, I will have to plant some in my garden this year.
I'd have to try the butterfly bushes then. I love this thread! Now, I don't just have to content myself with looking at the pretty butterflies on my phone and on my computer as my background and screensaver. I do love to go out and see those butterflies for real. I've just started with gardening again though and have gone through a lot of stuff online, including this helpful thread.
Add nectar-rich flowering plants to your garden. Similar plants like sunflowers, marigolds and some pentas, attract butterflies and avoid spraying poisonous pesticides if possible.
They like Yarrow, and Rose of Sharon also. I use mass plantings of many plants suggested here. What you also should do is give them a place to drink water. I use a small birdbath in the center of my planting with a flat rock in the center just above the water line. I remember reading not long ago, a monarch butterfly can smell Asclepias incarnata butterfly weed from 20 miles away. So there is that.