3 SIMPLE Ways to Get a Bevy Of Butterflies

Attracting butterflies to your yard is easier than you might think. Planting the right bushes is the most important step, but butterflies will come in droves, and even establish residence, if you provide them a few more simple comforts.

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WATER, THE NEW GOLD

They love a water source. Shallow, with little to no movement, like a shelf in a pond, or even a standing bird bath will work great.

A shallow decorative dish with some small stones in it will work too.

Keep it fresh by changing daily, if it is in a small dish.

No need to create a mosquito haven or an algae ridden mess.

SAFE SHELTER

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Butterflies are delicate, with huge wings to catch air, and a body so light weight, they have trouble fighting the smallest breezes. If you can give them some protection from wind, they will LOVE you for it!

Put up some wind barriers like small decorative fences, paint some old doors and stand them up.

Stand some old, cool looking windows, or even just plant some small trees and shrubs big enough to help block breezes.

Just don’t block the sun too much because butterflies are tiny, decadent, sun worshippers. They love to drink the heated nectar from a sun-warmed flower.

Make sure there are open sunny spaces for your butterfly brood. They will reward you by lounging lazily about the place displaying all their beautiful colors.

PERFECT PLANTS

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Now for the crowning glory of any garden, blooming beauties to attract bevies of butterflies.

Here is a list of plants you can add to your garden to bring those babies to your yard.

And speaking of babies, the right selection of plants will also stimulate the butterflies to lay eggs!

Plants of choice vary from species to species, so if you want a particular type of butterfly to breed, make sure you have the plants they prefer for their young. Monarchs for instance, prefer milkweed.

Allium, Aster, Bee Balm, Butterfly Bush, Cat Mint, Clove Pink, Cornflower, Day lily, False Indigo, Fleabane, Floss Flower, Globe Thistle, Golden Rod, Holly Hock, Honeysuckle, Lavender, Lilac, Lupine, Mallow, Milkweed, Mint, Pansy, Phlox, Privet, Purple Coneflower, Rock Cress, Sage,. Sea Holly, Snap Dragon, Stone Crop, Sweet Alyssum, Sweet Rocket, Tickseed, and Zinnia.

Happy Planting!!!

Leslie Triplett, The Pond Gal