Introduction
There are several levels of butterfly gardening depending on whether you want to just attract visitors or provide a habitat inviting several varieties to move in lock, stock, and chrysalis. You can start by planting a few nectar plants or providing other lures to attract the butterflies in your area. You may find that you're satisfied or that you're so enchanted by your fluttering visitors that you want to do more. Butterfly habitat necessities Adult food sources In the garden, these are most often plants that provide nectar for adult butterflies. Most butterflies aren't very picky and will feed from a variety of flowering plants, though they may have a favorite or two. Other food sources include fermenting fruit, manure, carrion, and mud. Host plants Plants that provide a site for the butterfly to lay eggs and a food source for the emerging caterpillar. Be prepared for heavy munching on host plants. Shelter Woody plants located near the nectar plants will provide butterflies with shelter during bad weather and at night. Water Butterflies can't drink from open water. They prefer very wet sand or soil. This is just a sample of the information that The Butterfly Garden has to offer.
Lessons
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