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Page sponsored by: Across the world there are thousands of different varieties of
butterflies but unfortunately these pretty creatures are becoming rare. You
don't need a lot of space in your garden, but with a little bit of knowledge
and our list of plants you could turn your garden into a butterfly paradise. The first
step in creating a butterfly garden involves a little research. The goal is to
find out what butterflies live in your area so you can include the plants they need
for food. Look at who visits your neighbors’ garden, or watch in nearby parks,
natural areas, roadsides, or gardens and write down the species you see. You
can also find out about the species in your country/area by looking in books
about butterflies and their habitats, or by talking to lepidopterists or
organizations interested in butterflies. Butterflies require very
specific plants as larvae, and females will lay their eggs only on these
plants. Use information in books about butterflies to help you choose plants
for butterfly larvae. But remember, the purpose of these plants is to serve as
a food source for the caterpillars. You are planting them to be eaten by the
caterpillars, and eaten leaves are good signs of your garden's health. As you
maintain your garden, DO NOT USE ANY PESTICIDES OR
INSECTICIDES on or near your garden. Insecticides kill butterflies
too. If you spray nearby areas, the insecticide may drift into your butterfly
garden. Planting a diversity of species will keep pest levels down, but
sometimes it's best just to tolerate a few pests. Avoiding insecticides also
allows the populations of natural predators to increase, and these hunters will
help reduce the number of unwanted pests. For Spring nectar plant: For late Summer/Autumn nectar plant: Aubretia Buddleia (simply a must-have) Ice Plant (Sedum spectabile) Bluebells Candytuft Ivy Cuckooflower Chives Lavender Dandelion Chrysthanemum Lilac Garlic Mustard Common bird's-foot trefoil Marjoram (Origanum) Honesty Cornflower Michaelmas Daisy Pansy Escallonia Mint Primrose Forget-me-not Phlox Sweet Rocket French Marigold Purple Loosestrife Sweet William Globe Thistle Red Valerian Wallflower Hebe Scabious Honeysuckle Thistles Violas Hyssop Thyme The above chart is for the Join
Butterfly Conservation Seven out of ten British
Butterfly species are in decline. http://butterfly-conservation.org/support/join/ The Xerces
Society An international nonprofit
organization dedicated to protecting biological diversity through invertebrate
conservation The North American
Butterfly Association (NABA) The North
American Butterfly Association (NABA) is, by far, the largest group of people
in We are working to save
butterfly species throughout Our publications are
changing the way people view butterflies, teaching them how to find
butterflies, how to identify them, how to create successful butterfly gardens,
and how to photograph them. Your involvement with butterflies will help to bring
beauty and satisfaction to your life. Please e-mail me on: sarah@globalappointments.com, if
you know of any other butterfly conservation organisations in your area of if
you have anything to add to this article. Thanks |
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