Lesson 4: The Butterfly Magnet
Objective:
The student will prepare a site plan.
Putting the right plant in the right place.
By now you know your site. You are familiar with the butterflies native to your region and the nectar and host plants which feed, water and shelter them. You are ready to put it all down on paper. Get your plant list, site data, pencil, eraser, sharpener and graph paper. It is time to put it all together.
There are butterfly plants and then there are butterfly plants. This one is a sound investment.
The Butterfly Bush: Buddleia davidii
Buddleia davidii is commonly called butterfly bush because of the hordes of butterflies (and bees) that are attracted to its wonderfully fragrant flowers. A less frequently used common name is summer lilac, recognizing the spikes of lilac-colored flowers. An orange throat adds a special pizazz to the flowers.
Although the flowers do not last as long as anyone would like them to, they are delightful when in bloom. Blossoms form on long spikes and open mid-summer to September depending on the variety.
Flower color varies based on cultivar. 'Pink Delight,' a deep pink Dutch introduction with compact growth and gray-green foliage and 'Charming' with pink blossoms and orange throats provide a soft color in the garden. Other blossom colors include blue, lilac, mauve and reddish-purple to deep purple. The darkest purple is 'Black Knight.' The Petite Plum' blossom is reddish-purple with orange throat.
Buddleias transplant easily, even in mid-summer. Best growth occurs in well-drained, fertile soils in full sun, although they also grow in the worst urban soil.
They form arching shrubs from 5 to 10 feet tall. They generally die back to the ground each winter. Cutting them back to the ground each year maintains a neater habit. Since the flowers form on new wood which grows quickly each spring, this proves to be very acceptable to both gardeners and butterflies.
You could, with a single bush, create space that would draw butterflies to it and make your property look good. Landscaping can add value to an urban property. Your butterfly garden could be a sound, economic and environmental investment.
You may want to consider this option for your front yard, say half way between the sidewalk and the house. Place your butterfly bush right in the middle of your front yard, or just off to either side. This gives you a butterfly attraction and enhances your property. If you don’t have time to do anything else this lets you keep it simple.
Now a garden can be simple and diverse at the same time. The beauty of working with perennials, for example,is that after the initial planting they are not all that demanding. The real joy here is the range of options you have when planning your butterfly garden.
Backyard habitat
What is a Backyard Habitat?
A Backyard Habitat is the manipulation of your yard into a garden that provides essential resources for different kinds of wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, small mammals and other creatures. This could entail something as simple as planting a few host plants for butterflies or as elaborate as creating a place that provides food, water, summer shade, winter refuge, perches, nesting sites, and hiding places for all kinds of wildlife.
This ecologically-minded gardening is especially critical in areas of excessive development. Natural wildlife habitat is disappearing quickly. Creating a Backyard Habitat is the perfect way for you, your family, and your schools to help conserve wildlife while being able to enjoy observing it every day in your own backyard.
Your habitat does not have to be extensive. It could be a half barrel on a balcony or deck with a few plants in it that appeal to the butterflies in yoour region or several hanging baskets with a few varieties. While these examples will not provide all the butterflies needs at the least they will provide food.
You may choose to add a butterfly bush or a lilac to your property or mix in a few nectar and host plants among your already existing gardens. Whatever path you take, you will be providing space for the little guys who give so much and ask so little.
What plants, trees or shrubs do you have already growing that attract butterflies? Consider complimenting them.
