Backyard Gardens: Inviting Butterflies

 

Backyard gardens can be open invitations to all sorts of wildlife. With some information and forethought, you can be sure that lovely butterflies will be near the top of your guest list. If you would like them to be more than occasional visitors, consider making a few changes in order to provide for their basic needs: food, water, shelter and protection from predators. As luck would have it, many of the things they need will also add pleasure for humans as well.

To get an idea of how your garden might look from a butterfly's-eye-view, do a little research on butterfly habitats to help you to design your garden in the way that it will appear to potential butterfly guests that live in or migrate through your area. Many books about butterflies now offer sections about backyard gardens. You need not spend much to get started or make a few changes. From the viewpoint of wildlife, rare or exotic plants are not necessarily more desirable.

Opting For A Backyard Wildlife Haven

You may have already noticed some wildlife in your backyard garden. First, you would be wise to take an inventory of your backyard plants. You need to list them, try to identify their names and decide which ones are needed elements and which ones are beyond salvaging. Now you can do a bit of research to see if any are already butterfly-approved. In most places, butterflies are seen only seasonally, but their life cycles continue all year long. This means that both deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubbery and bushes, and lots of flowers are part of the garden plan as well. In each category, you will find specimens that serve wildlife. Many are cheap and plentiful and will naturally do well where you live.

As you do your reading, be mindful of those specimens of each plant which are mainstays for butterfly gardens. Both perennial and annual plants are inexpensive ways to add color, increase interest and attract your winged friends. The best choices draw birds and bees, which are vital pollinators that provide a valuable service to fruit trees or a vegetable garden. It's often best to start gradually, by either replacing your least favorite plants or adding a few wildlife favorites or even a wildflower mix to bare areas. Your success can be as easy as doing what you would do anyway, but making sure that each change has one or more wildlife benefits as well.

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