Know the Basics of a Butterfly Haven Including Identifying Flowers They Most Enjoy
Trek through the Amazon jungle and one of the most memorable sights will be the Blue Morpho butterfly flitting in the wild. The silent, iridescent beauties have become the star of a burgeoning eco-tourism industry. But you don’t have to travel to the damp forests of South America to enjoy butterflies. By identifying flowers that attract and support butterflies you can enjoy them in your very own backyard.
The Need to Feed
There are a few basics you’ll need to provide in order to create your butterfly sanctuary starting with the native plants that caterpillars and mature butterflies will need to feed upon. The majority of butterfly caterpillars will not damage the plants they consume (unlike other problem caterpillars such as bagworms). Furthermore, the caterpillars of many butterfly species dine upon a very limited menu so it’s important to begin identifying flowers and plants that butterflies in your region prefer.
Monarch butterflies in their caterpillar stage, for instance, love to munch on milkweed. The Black Swallowtail caterpillar enjoys flowering herbs such as dill, parsley or fennel. The Acmon Blue caterpillar likes to dine on lupines while the Silver-Spotted Skipper prefers wisteria. Look for lists of butterflies who populate your region and their favorite native dining choices. Then, plant them in your garden.
The Need for Sun
Butterflies prefer sunny locations. They use the sun to orient themselves directionally but they also rely on the sun to give warmth to their lovely wings pre-flight. If you place a few smooth stones in the bright sun you’ll find butterflies will alight and rest there to soak up the rays.
In addition, butterflies typically feed in sunny areas. Identifying flowers that will bloom in the sun and planning to grow blooms there all summer is key to making a true butterfly haven. Strong-colored blooms of purple, red, pink, yellow or orange are often the most enticing.
The Need for a Pesticide-free Environment
No one likes pesky insects in the garden but using a chemical pesticide can be lethal to butterfly caterpillars. Even those labeled as “safe” or “natural” can kill your caterpillars before they are able to make their magical transformation. Butterflies need a truly natural environment.
The Need for a Puddle
You can enjoy the pleasure of seeing groups of butterflies if you provide what they need for “puddling”. Puddling doesn’t actually resemble a water puddle, but butterflies will group together on moist sand to drink in moisture and absorb some minerals. If you put a shallow dish of wet sand in the garden (and keep it moist) you may just see the sight.
At Kincaid Plant Markers we make the job of identifying flowers in your garden simple. Our sturdy, attractive, easy-to-read markers will tell every visitor what they are enjoying. After the work of identifying flowers to attract and support butterflies, let us help you in identifying those flowers for your garden visitors. Butterfly visitors will encourage human visitors to linger and enjoy the view. You can have your own eco-tourism close at hand.
