Better Butterfly Gardening
If you have an established butterfly garden, but aren’t seeing the numbers or varieties of butterflies you expected, consider making some improvements. You probably have already planted butterfly-friendly plants, but there are many other things you can do to make your garden more attractive to the winged beauties.
In breezy areas, adding a windbreak can create a butterfly oasis. They have difficulty flying when their delicate wings are battered by strong winds—and a strong wind to a butterfly may not seem very strong to you. Consider adding a corner that is protected by taller plants, or train a climbing vine over a protective trellis.
Something that is easily added also is a source of warmth. Even if your garden is already in a sunny spot, add some dark, decorative stones or small statues. Dark colored stone will absorb the heat of the sun and offer the butterflies a place to rest and warm their wings for flying.
Water can also be a powerful attractant, and butterflies need very little to make them happy. Creating some small, shallow puddles can help. A ‘butterfly bath’ is easily created by using a pretty plate or bowl of water, with ‘islands’ of decorative stones for butterflies to land on.
