People's back yards are sometimes considered extensions of their personalities. Many who are concerned about the well being of our environment as well as the creatures that live in it provide refuges for the smaller living things that are close to their hearts. Butterfly gardens are becoming a popular method of beautifying a yard while providing a much needed environment for the propagation of the species.
One trick to having a season long source of these fragile beauties is to find out what plants are indigenous to your area and which of these are the favorites of native butterflies. You will need to find nectar plants for the adults and food plants for the caterpillars when the eggs hatch. Some hatch-lings will only eat specific plants and if that plant is not available they will not survive.
Plant selection is an important step. You will want to include annuals and perennials that have high sources of nectar as well as leafy greens to serve as a food source. Most gardeners place perennials against fences or in the back of the garden because they bloom yearly. Annuals need to be replaced every season and should occupy the outer edges of any garden making access much easier. A centrally placed butterfly bush surrounded by multiple rows of flowering plants that bloom at different times during the season works very well in most yards.
Placing feeders in the yard with nectar supplies is a good concept. Much like birds, butterflies can use the nectar as a supplemental source of food. Placing water dishes, and sand for puddling in the yard is helpful. Many people provide houses that are designed specifically for butterflies. They offer protection from predators and bad weather and provide charming additions to your landscaping.
Urbanization of their habitat poses a major problem for these creatures. The construction of homes, businesses and freeways has destroyed many fields and wilderness areas where they flourish. An example is the Monarch. These butterflies need to find a specific plant for egg laying. Milkweed is the only plant that the Monarch caterpillar can feed on and reports state that it has been nearly eradicated in America. The effect of this is that the numbers of Monarch Butterflies have noticeably diminished over the past decade.
Pesticides are also a major threat to these creatures. Gardeners who hope to attract them use alternative means to control pest insects. Ladybugs released into the garden will help control aphid and warm soapy water also works well. It is advisable to remove any caterpillars prior to applying the soapy water to your plants.
Botanical gardens often raise butterflies and have a special area where they can be observed and interacted with on a very personal level. Benches are located in areas that they flourish in and visitors can experience having them land on their bodies and flutter around their heads while they rest. These sites are most popular during the spring and summer months while butterflies are plentiful. At the same time studies are being done by the botanists regarding the life spans and various life habits of them.
Wildlife gardening is a promising method of providing some of nature's most fragile and beautiful creatures a place to flourish and reproduce while immersing yourself in the life cycles of the natural world around you.
One trick to having a season long source of these fragile beauties is to find out what plants are indigenous to your area and which of these are the favorites of native butterflies. You will need to find nectar plants for the adults and food plants for the caterpillars when the eggs hatch. Some hatch-lings will only eat specific plants and if that plant is not available they will not survive.
Plant selection is an important step. You will want to include annuals and perennials that have high sources of nectar as well as leafy greens to serve as a food source. Most gardeners place perennials against fences or in the back of the garden because they bloom yearly. Annuals need to be replaced every season and should occupy the outer edges of any garden making access much easier. A centrally placed butterfly bush surrounded by multiple rows of flowering plants that bloom at different times during the season works very well in most yards.
Placing feeders in the yard with nectar supplies is a good concept. Much like birds, butterflies can use the nectar as a supplemental source of food. Placing water dishes, and sand for puddling in the yard is helpful. Many people provide houses that are designed specifically for butterflies. They offer protection from predators and bad weather and provide charming additions to your landscaping.
Urbanization of their habitat poses a major problem for these creatures. The construction of homes, businesses and freeways has destroyed many fields and wilderness areas where they flourish. An example is the Monarch. These butterflies need to find a specific plant for egg laying. Milkweed is the only plant that the Monarch caterpillar can feed on and reports state that it has been nearly eradicated in America. The effect of this is that the numbers of Monarch Butterflies have noticeably diminished over the past decade.
Pesticides are also a major threat to these creatures. Gardeners who hope to attract them use alternative means to control pest insects. Ladybugs released into the garden will help control aphid and warm soapy water also works well. It is advisable to remove any caterpillars prior to applying the soapy water to your plants.
Botanical gardens often raise butterflies and have a special area where they can be observed and interacted with on a very personal level. Benches are located in areas that they flourish in and visitors can experience having them land on their bodies and flutter around their heads while they rest. These sites are most popular during the spring and summer months while butterflies are plentiful. At the same time studies are being done by the botanists regarding the life spans and various life habits of them.
Wildlife gardening is a promising method of providing some of nature's most fragile and beautiful creatures a place to flourish and reproduce while immersing yourself in the life cycles of the natural world around you.
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