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Who's Hanging Out In Your Flower Garden?

© Naomi Mathews

Much has been learned and also written about which flowers gardeners should grow to attract butterflies to their backyard gardens. Avid butterfly gardeners are aware that the striking female Monarch Butterfly simply MUST have milkweed (Asclepias) on which to lay her eggs, or her caterpillars won't survive after hatching. And novice butterfly gardeners know--or will soon learn--that to attract any butterflies, they should plant flowers containing nectar.

So, what does this have to do with who's hanging out in your garden? Read on, and you'll soon get the drift, I promise!

First, have you ever wondered how these enchanting, almost mystical creatures initially came to be called "butterflies?" I certainly have! Even as a child, I'd lay in the soft green grass around our home, watching them flitting hither and thither, and wonder, "Why are they called 'butterflies'? What does butter have to do with these beautiful fluttering creatures?"

Here is an oft-told story I've come across in my research that may help explain this question. In the "olden days" housewives noticed that milk, cream, AND butter seemed to disappear from their kitchens without explanation. Some believed that little fairies were sneaking into their kitchens and stealing their butter. This old story also relates that in Old English, the name for what is now commonly called "butterfly" is "Buter-fledge." The story further goes on to say that the meaning of this word is "fairy who steals the butter." So, my childhood question has finally been answered! I really do believe there are fairies--doesn't everybody when they are still a child at heart?

In this article, I invite my readers to envision the joys of butterfly gardening from a somewhat different aspect.

Do you know the names of any of the "flying flower" visitors that hang out in your garden during the long and lovely summer months?

"Well, no--I guess I haven't given that much thought," you may reply. "Is this really necessary or important before I can become a good butterfly gardener?"

No, it probably isn't necessary just for the sake of knowing. They will probably still come to dine at your flower blossoms to imbibe their daily doses of nectar. However, you should know that each species of the exquisite butterfly does have a proper name, just like people! Wouldn't it be exciting as well as gratifying if you DID know what to call your exquisite visitors?

In addition to learning a certain butterfly's flower preferences as mentioned above, I suggest that butterfly gardeners learn the names of the butterflies they wish to attract. Most butterflies DO have certain preferences of flowers from which they seek nectar. Here again, they're a lot like people--some of us like steak, while others like fish!

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