Everyone loves to see a butterfly fluttering around, especially the brightly colored ones. Unfortunately, many species are depleted in numbers due to the destruction of habitat. The usual plants favored by gardeners are not the ones needed to attract butterflies and moths, so they need to be encouraged with specific plants and flowers. Making an environment for caterpillar hosts and to induce the laying of eggs will make an even more useful butterfly garden. Some adult butterflies don't feed on certain plants so the young need to thrive as well.
There are hundreds of plants to choose from, with careful consideration of when and where to locate them in the butterfly garden. The gardener who makes the effort will get a lot of pleasure from helping with this conservation. The plants themselves will add beauty and scent. Watching the butterflies and taking photographs will be very worthwhile. It's a good idea to use plants that will attract the threatened species of the butterfly population. Scientists are keen that members of the public help to tag butterflies, in order that they can find out more about their habits.
It's not always easy to be a butterfly. They have many enemies, such as spiders, wasps, birds, flies and ants. These can be controlled by using traps rather than by pesticides. Butterflies and their larvae would be harmed by the pesticides. Insecticides can't be used on aphids either, for the same reason. Gardeners can control aphids by natural methods, such as the release of ladybugs and other bugs that won't harm butterflies. Spraying aphid infested plants with water also does the trick sometimes. Butterflies can also fall victim to disease and viruses. The person who supplies a butterfly garden is helping to tip the scales in their favor.
The list of plants that attract butterflies is long. Some of the more popular ones are Autumn Sage, Marigolds, Sweet Pepperbush and Phlox. There is also Morning Glory and Butterfly Bush, also known as Buddleia. Shrubs and bushes play their part too and butterflies will flock to New Jersey Tea Tree and the Hawthorn Bush. Many people like to have wildflowers in their garden and this too can encourage an influx of butterflies. Spearmint, Ironweed and Thistles are all good for the butterfly garden.
It's not even necessary to plant anything. Butterflies are known to be partial to garden snacks, as supplied by the owners. They will happily feed on mashed up fruits, such as bananas, watermelon, mangoes and oranges.
Percy Troughton's runs his own garden center in Arkansas. Check out these great
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