Butterflies carry with them a mystique all their own. You can't hear them fly and they don't make a sound (like crickets or bees). Yet their beauty is captivating and fleeting. They are here for a moment, and then they are off to find another flower.
I love to watch butterflies flit around my garden. They are so graceful, colorful, and free to go where they want and do what they want to do. They don't make good pets, and you can't train them to do tricks, so how do you keep them around in your garden?
1. Butterfly houses are available to place by your plants that attract them. They provide shelter form birds and bad weather.
2. Plants with bright yellow, orange, purple, and red flowers attract them, and also flowers with sweet fragrances. Open flowers are easier for them to get into, rather than double or ruffled flowers.
3. A group of plants is more attractive to them than a single plant.
4. Green beans, celery, dill, chives, and cabbage family plants will attract them in your vegetable garden.
5. Watch for seed packets and plants that specifically say they will attract butterflies. The "butterfly bush" is a showy plant and irresistable to butterflies. (I've seen them covered with butterflies!) Other plants are: zinnias, nasturtiums, marigolds, impatiens, daylilies, hollyhocks, purple coneflowers, sweet alyssum, and lantana. This will get you started.
The downside of having the environment to attract butterflies, is that they will lay their eggs there, and in turn, you will then have caterpillars. A few can be big eaters, so either plant enough for both of you or don't get too upset when they eat your leaves. It really is worth having them grace your garden.
Have you watched how butterflies captivate children? Plant a butterfly garden for your children or grandchildren and then count your blessings!
