Starting Butterfly Garden

PeaceB2U · Mar 23, 2009

For the first time, I'm going to be able to have a back porch to sit out on during relaxation times this summer. So I'm planning on building a butterfly garden to enjoy. I've been doing some internet searches and have a good list of recommended plants as well as information on butterfly houses and feeders.

Has anyone else done this? If you have, what I'm really wondering is how long did it take your garden to attract butterflies? I'm debating between waiting for them to come to me or actually doing a butterfly release to try to kickstart things.

Kalandra · Mar 23, 2009

I've done this specifically to attract monarchs. Are you planting for butterflies or for caterpillars? IE nectar plants or host plants? I plant specifically to attract monarchs. I have planted 2 varieties of milkweed (so far, planning on a 3rd native species this year) as well as I have been planting native nectar plants to feed the adults. The first year I concentrated on the milkweed we had caterpillars. If you have nectar plants you should see more butterflies start to show up as well as more bees (a very good thing!).

PeaceB2U · Mar 23, 2009

My main concentration will be for butterflies as I get started. However, I'm also planning on placing some bushes/hedges behind for the use of eggs and some host plants for caterpillars.

Have you tried adding the butterfly houses?

Jenn · Mar 23, 2009

Butterfly bushes attract a lot of butterflies, as well as hummingbirds. They are such pretty plants and smell wonderful! I love sitting outside and watching all the little critters enjoying the many bushes I have.

Kalandra · Mar 23, 2009

I haven't tried the houses. I've heard mixed things about them. One person tells me they don't work, and other says they do. *shrugs*

mapache315 · Mar 23, 2009

I think houses are a waste of money.

Make sure you have fresh water sources and stones for them to bask on. In the feeder I would consider putting in fresh water, because some people think that butterflies have an easier time finding nectar than uncontaminated fresh water sources.

I would not do a release, but you can if you want. If you have enough plants and variety, they will come to you.

Hang hanging baskets (lantana, verbena, million bells, petunias, red geraniums) and add window boxes to the porch railings so that there are flowers EVERYWHERE.

Remember (this seems obvious), that butterflies are insects, so if you use insecticides they will not come.

I work in a garden center and we have hummingbirds and butterflies coming in and hanging around the shrub yard all the time.