Rux
Gardens
Attracting
Butterflies to Your Garden
Butterfly Gardening can be easy. It's a matter of supplying the necessities of life for butterflies and their offspring. Grow the plants caterpillars like to eat, and the plants butterflies like to feed on, then provide warmth, shelter, other nutrients and water. Butterfly gardens contribute to preservation and conservation of butterfly species.
Butterfly gardens can be as small as a window box or as large as many acres. Pick a sunny spot for your butterfly garden. Butterflies are cold-blooded and need warmth to fly. They fly best when temperatures are between 75 and 90 degrees. When the air temperature is colder they bask in the sun to warm their wing muscles for flying. To promote basking, place large flat rocks in the garden. Also provide places of shelter away from the wind to encourage feeding and egg-laying. Shrubs can provide a wind break and be a food source. Mixing plants of different heights can provide sheltered spots within the garden.
Provide food sources for the adult butterflies and their caterpillar offspring. Planting the right plants for the larvae will ensure the adult butterflies occupancy. Each species of butterfly uses different larvae food source plants. See the host plant listing for good choices to attract the butterflies you want to see.
Adult butterflies feed on nectar plants. They are generally drawn to plants with bright flowers with places for landing. Group similar colors together and plan for continuous blooms throughout the season. See the nectar plant listing for annuals, perennials, and shrubs for attracting butterflies.
Nutrients for butterflies include minerals and salts. These minerals are taken in by “puddling” or sucking fluids from wet soil. Butterflies congregate near muddy spots to drink and absorb minerals. A bowl or shallow dish of wet sand can provide the puddle needed as well splash from rocks near a water feature.
Avoid pesticides. Pesticides in the butterfly garden will kill the caterpillars and the adult butterflies. Try using natural controls first when pests threaten the garden such as ladybugs, praying mantis, and dragonflies. The next step is judicious use of insecticidal soaps. Be prepared for some ravaging of the garden plants by the larvae in exchange for the enjoyment of the adult butterflies later on.
Rux Gardens, 2930 Old Balsam Road, Waynesville, NC 28786 (828) 456-4621