Butterfly Gardens, 6th in a Series of Children's Garden Themes

Children are often fascinated by the butterflies which hover among the flowers of their gardens. Butterflies have even been referred to as "floating flowers," and I admit that they certainly look the part. As children are so interested in butterflies, it is only natural to grow the plants and flowers which attract, feed, and host these wonderful creatures in your child's garden. There are two types of plants to consider when planting a butterfly garden: the host plants (plants eaten by larva/caterpillars) and flowers which produce nectar (for the butterflies to eat). While it's pretty to have only all the flowers, it is very important to have the host plants mixed in or nearby so that the butterflies can lay their eggs. If there are no host plants for the caterpillars to eat and where the butterflies can lay there eggs, you won't have very many butterflies.

Butterfly Host Plants: Host plants which are useful for butterflies and their caterpillars are: Clover family, Dock, Milkweed, Nettle, Parsley family (dill, carrots, parsnips, etc.), Plantain, Ragweed, Roses, Toadflax, Lupines, Penstemon, Amaranth, Apple, Pigweed, Vetch, Goatsbeard (Aruncus), Poplar, Violets, Sedum, Spirea, Flax, Hibiscus, Lamb's Quarters, Lilacs, Wild Cherry, Vervain, Willows, Spice Bush, Aspen, Birch, Hackberry, Snapdragons, False Loosestrifes, Thistles, Plums, Cherries, Butterfly weed (Asclepias), Astragalus, Wisteria, Azalea, Bleeding Hearts, Blueberries, Borage, Chickweed, Dogwoods, Fennel, Alfalfa, Sorrel, Hollyhocks and Mallows, grasses, and more. To find if there are certain host plants which are preferred in your area, check with your county extension agent or a master gardener in your area in the US or with your ag agent in Canada.

Butterfly Nectar Plants: There are many nectar plants which will feed and attract butterflies. Some are perennials, some are annuals, and some may be considered "weeds" (of course weeds/flowers are in the eye of the beholder, or something like that.)

Perennials and wild perennials which butterflies like: Yarrow (Achillea), Ajuga, Allium, Asters, Bee Balm (Monarda), Black-eyed Susan, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), Butterfly Weed (Asclepias), Columbine (Aquilegia), Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja), Clematis, Coreopsis, Daisies and Mums, Coneflowers, Blazing Stars (Liatris), Dogbane, Goldenrod, Joe-Pye-Weed, Catmint, Phlox, Sedum, Filipendula (Meadowsweet), Carnations/Pinks, Globe Thistle, Blanket Flower (Gallardia), Lavender, Oregano, Mints, Veronica, and more.

Annuals which attract butterflies are: Marigolds, Zinnias, Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco), Impatiens, Sunflowers, Verbena, Phlox, Cleome, Cosmos, Alyssum, Ageratum, Queen Anne's Lace, Snapdragons, Calendula, Lobelia, Nasturtiums, Salvia, Petunias, Pansies, and many more.

Butterflies appreciate a water source as well. A shallow pan partly filled with soil or gravel with enough water added to puddle slightly in some areas works well. Also a shallow pan with a small amount of water in the bottom and a flat rock to the side where the butterflies can walk down to the water or bask in the sun also works. Be sure that you keep the water pan well stocked with water (but not deep! We don't want butterflies to drown) as they will come to rely on this source. Also, do not spray insecticides in your garden. Butterflies and many other helpful insects are killed right along with any undesirable ones. Don't attract them just to kill them.

The copyright of the article Butterfly Gardens, 6th in a Series of Children's Garden Themes in Gardening with Children is owned by Linda Mazar. Permission to republish Butterfly Gardens, 6th in a Series of Children's Garden Themes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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