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How to Plant an Endangered Butterfly–Friendly Garden

© Kate Staron

Start a butterfly garden to help the endangered butterfly species in your area; they are relatively simple to make and maintain.

Tips for Planting a Butterfly-Friendly Garden

There are a few guidelines to follow when setting up a garden made for endangered butterflies.

• Plant local, flowering plants in reds, oranges, yellows and purples. Avoid whites, blues and foliage plants that do not flower. Try Zinnia, the butterfly bush, thistle and milkweed.
• Plant the garden with southern exposure or at least in an area that is not shaded by other plants or houses.
• Don't forget to plant for the larva of moths and butterflies. Butterflies lay eggs on a host plant, which the emerging caterpillars eat. These may not be pretty after the caterpillars eat the leaves; consider putting them out of view.
• Don't use pesticides used to kill mosquitoes and harmful pests as they will harm the butterflies.

There are 19 butterflies, 2 moths, and 2 skippers threatened or endangered in America alone. Even if there isn't an endangered species of butterfly in your area, a butterfly garden still makes for an enjoyable addition to the yard.

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