Butterflies are beautiful insects that are easily attracted to your yard with the right plants and flowers. If you want to know more about which plants and what colors can be used to get them interested and have them stick around, read on. There are a myriad of different types of butterflies in varied color and size. Did you know there are over 14,000 different types that we know about? There are Hesperiidae Butterflies, better known as skipper or darts which range from brightly colored to brown and are commonly mistaken for moths. Another common family is Papilionidae Butterflies which are better known as swallowtails. They are typically large and have extensions at the end of their wings that look like tails.
There are a few different ways to help seduce butterflies to come to your yard but the most typical is to grow plants that attract them. While there are specific types that each species love, there are also some general guidelines on flowers, herbs, and trees and can be used to attract them. Mature butterflies are typically attracted to red, pink, yellow, orange, and purple flowers that have short tubes to feed from. You can also look for common flowering plants like butterfly weed and butterfly bushes which grow in many different climates and can be used to attract insect activity.
You may wish to first do some research to see what types of butterflies are common in your region. Plan which type you’re interested in attracting and combine that with how to best do so. The giant swallowtail caterpillar, for example, favors prickly ash and citrus trees while painted lady butterflies prefer thistle and mallow. With such specific tastes you can really focus your butterfly garden to particular kinds of butterflies. It’s easy to see how a little research can go a long way in making the most of your garden space.
Adult butterflies need sunlight to thrive and will only feed in full-sun. It makes sense that the plants they feed on also require full or partial-sun. Plan your garden space in the sunniest part of your yard to maximize the number of hours the butterflies can feed. The more light you can provide the better your success. Completely avoid the use of pesticides in and around your garden space. These products can easily kill adults and caterpillars alike and can lead to several seasons of inactivity.
A butterfly garden can make an incredible addition to any landscaping or gardening project. With some simple research and planning it’s both easy and fun to create an environment where they’ll be drawn and want to stay. Make sure you do some pre-planning by looking for which species are common to your area and which plants are best suited and easy to grow. Choose plant varieties that return year after year and require only feeding and basic maintenance so you need not repeat your efforts. Armed with this information you’re well on your way to creating a beautiful butterfly garden.
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