Butterfly Gardening

Spring is a time of renewal and new life for both butterfly gardens and butterflies. Perennial flowers, bulbs, shrubs and trees of every variety that rested during the cold days of winter are again springing to life. New generations of many species of butterflies are winging their way northward, eager to find appropriate homes to safely rear the next generation of their species. 'Tis the season to get your butterfly gardens a-bloom to greet these magical "flying flowers!"

Mar 29, 2002 - Naomi Mathews

Millions of Monarch butterflies froze to death in their overwintering grounds in Mexico during February, 2002 following an unusually severe winter storm. Links in this article will take you to several photographs where you will see massive piles of dead Monarchs that resemble gigantic piles of gray, dead leaves.

Feb 28, 2002 - Naomi Mathews

There is more to be considered than merely planting a few pretty flowers if you’re really serious about butterfly gardening. Your ultimate goal should be to provide a healthy natural habitat for the butterflies indigenous to your area. Read about how to create a diversified butterfly habitat in your backyard!

Dec 30, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

It’s that time of year once again . . . my garden sleeps. Another summer has passed, and fall has surreptitiously surrounded us with a splendid array of vibrant colors. Old Man Winter is not far behind. It's time to get your butterfly and hummingbird garden in shape before he descends.

Nov 4, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

Is there beauty to be found amidst the ashes of disaster? Where can one find comfort, solace, and healing after such massive destruction of innocent human lives? It is my prayer that many who have lost so much will find a measure of comfort, peace, and renewed hope in the beauty of flower gardens.

Oct 2, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

Have you ever been fooled by a "hummingbird imposter" in your flower garden? If you aren't sure, you may be surprised to learn that what you thought was a hummingbird was really a sphinx moth!

Aug 9, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

Could you easily spot a hummingbird's nest if you looked for one? Given the Lilliputian size of hummingbirds, it's only reasonable to expect that their nests will also be minuscule. Learning a bit about hummingbird nesting may help you to spy a hummer's nest more easily!

Jul 5, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

Planting a butterfly and hummingbird garden is well worth the effort, especially when everything seems to burst into bloom at once. This article will give you a small glimpse of a few flowers, trees, and shrubs we've planted in our yard over a ten-year period. Many of our flowers are in full bloom this month, and have already attracted a variety of butterflies and a hummingbird or two to our little piece of Heaven on earth. Enjoy!

Jun 1, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

Planting a "flowering arbor" to attract more hummingbirds is my new backyard hummingbird habitat project for Spring 2001! Read about some of the different flowering vines you can plant to attract more of these jewels of the sky to your backyard.

Apr 30, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

An analogy of the three stages of the butterfly's life and the Christian celebration of Easter. Read about some of the interesting myths, symbolisms, and legends that have evolved over the centuries about butterflies!

Apr 3, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

Planting the appropriate "larval host plants" is critical to successful butterfly gardening. Different species of butterflies require different host plants on which to lay their eggs. Learning which butterfly species reside in your particular area is the key to which host plants to grow in your garden.

Feb 1, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

This aromatic perennial has several common pseudonyms including mosquito plant, Texas hummingbird mint, bubblegum mint, and giant hyssop. It is native to certain areas of Texas and New Mexico, and is especially noted for attracting rufous and broad-tailed hummingbirds. Also attracted to its fragrant tubular blossoms are butterflies, bees, some sphinx moths, and even goldfinches. It has also been touted for effectively repelling mosquitoes!

Jan 1, 2001 - Naomi Mathews

Learn how, why, and when to use the "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM) approach to help control pests and diseases that plague your gardens. Butterfly and hummingbird gardeners will want to pay special attention to the four basic concepts of the IPM approach.

Dec 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Where do some of your familiar garden butterflies go at summer's end? Not all escape to warmer climes as the Monarchs do. To learn a bit about some butterflies that have secret "hidey" places right in your own back yard, this article will give you some answers.

Nov 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Conservationists and monarch experts recently warned of a critical crisis facing monarch butterflies. Research over a 28-year study period shows that degradation of vital conserved areas of forests in Mexico, where monarchs have overwintered for milleniums, has decreased by almost 90%. Also read about a team of concerned international groups are working together to help solve this imminent crisis.

Oct 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Hummmingbirds need a constant supply of high calorie fuel to keep their little engines running. Read about how you can best help supply them with the instant energy fuel they need when summer flowers begin to fade.

Aug 31, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Planting a variety of aromatic herbs will attract many butterflies to your garden. Read about which herbs certain butterflies will seek out as "host plants" for their baby caterpillars.

Aug 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Attracting Painted Lady, American Painted Lady, or West Coast Lady butterflies to flower gardens isn't difficult. Learn the differences between these gorgeous "painted ladies" and what their nectar and host plant preferences are. This will help you select appropriate flowers to plant for their dining pleasure. Planting their favored host plants will also assure their caterpillars of a place to bed and board -- a critical aspect of butterfly gardening.

Jul 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

A burst of early flowering perennials attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and a host of happy buzzing bees to gardens. Everyone is invited to my early summer garden party. I'll be escorting you on a colorful tour of some of my favorite perennials in my various garden areas. They have truly outdone themselves this spring and early summer, and are blooming profusely.

Jun 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Clouded and Cloudless Sulphur butterflies are attracted to many lovely flowers that are easy to include in your butterfly garden. Learn a bit about these sunny "flying flowers" and their favorite habitats, nectar sources, and host plants.

May 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

The state of Georgia officially designated the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail as their state butterfly on April 4, 1988. Three other southern states later followed suit by naming the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail as their official state butterfly. Learn more about this beautiful butterfly and its nectar and caterpillar host plant needs. You will be doing your part to help swallowtails and other butterfly species to survive by planting nectar-rich flowers and host plant sources in your garden!

Apr 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Butterflies are already migrating north from their southern overwintering habitats. A brand new generation will soon be seeking nectar for energy and host plants on which to lay their fragile eggs. Plant a potpourri of nectar and host plants early to attract them to your garden.

Mar 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Today, the Blues butterflies include endangered species in both North and South America. Among the first placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1975 (receiving final approval in 1992) was the much-loved Karner Blue. Read about what can be done to help prevent the impending extinction of one of the world's most beautiful and rare species of butterflies.

Feb 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Renown lepidopterist Vladimir Nabokov left the world an invaluable environmental legacy because of his passion and love for Blues butterflies. Striking Nabokov illustrations, photos of several South American Blues and their habitats, and a famous photo of Nabokov accompany this article. Lepidopterists today fear more Nabokov Blues in South America may face extinction or extirpation because of disappearing habitats. Visit all of the outstanding Co-Featured Links in this article to learn more about Nabokov Blues. Watch for the second article of this two-part series on February 1, 2000!

Jan 1, 2000 - Naomi Mathews

Read a charming fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen about a single butterfly who wished for a bride and searched for her amongst the flowers. This short story precedes a vital introduction to my next two articles that will depict the critical need to retain and/or restore the rapidly disappearing habitats of both Karner Blue and Nabokov Blue butterflies.

Dec 1, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Autumn brings with it a riot of colors to gardens. Perennials know it's time to rest for the winter. Butterflies have either migrated to warmer climes or taken shelter elsewhere until spring. A brief respite from gardening tasks is also welcomed by many avid gardeners in the autumn--including me!

Nov 1, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

The mystical migration behavior of monarch butterflies has been the subject of research by entomolgists, biologists, and scientists for many years. Has the answer as to why these gossamer-winged monarchs migrate south every year ever been totally solved?

Oct 1, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Looking for something unique that will attract more hummingbirds to your garden? To create a superb visual focal point for both you and your hummers, why not plant some lush, colorful flowering vines? Both you and your hummers will be delighted with the results!

Sep 1, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

The return of butterflies in the summer is an enchanting sight, and truly gives butterfly gardeners a warm, fuzzy feeling. Read about some summer favorites that are found in gardens, meadows, and along roadsides!

Aug 1, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Summer has finally arrived! It's time for the butterfly gardener to enjoy the wonder and delight of watching magical "flying flowers" come to wine and dine! It's also time for the gardener to take a small respite from gardening tasks. I invite you to enjoy a "virtual" stroll with me as I show you the results of just a few of my spring gardening efforts.

Jul 1, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Create a unique "living nectar screen" for your hummers! Planting climbers on both sides of free standing dividers will produce masses of color and foliage, and also provide your hummingbirds with a steady diet of nectar from early spring through late fall.

Jun 22, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Introducing "beneficial insects" into your garden will help decrease harmful and destructive garden pests while increasing the butterfly and hummingbird population. This in turn will help to restore and enhance Mother Nature's worldwide ecosystem.

Jun 8, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Planting a colorful "butterfly pub" can be a fun project and will attract flocks of "flying flowers!" Read about some great nectar-rich flowers that will thrive in a butterfly pub container and also brighten up your deck or patio. Containers can be placed wherever you prefer, or moved from place to place. Their versatility makes them a great gardening option.

May 26, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

A delightful interview with a dedicated butterfly and hummingbird gardener awaits you in this article. Read how she has successfully attracted both of these exquisite "Jewels of the Sky" to her backyard habitat.

May 11, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Attracting hummingbirds by planting tall border plants with blossoms rich in nectar is a great option for gardeners. Read about some striking border flowers that offer both beauty for your garden and nectar for your "jewels of the sky."

Apr 27, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Learn both why and how to cater to caterpillars to attract the magical Monarch butterfly to your back yard. Female Monarchs are very particular about selecting only one specific host plant on which to lay their eggs, or their baby caterpillars will starve. As a butterfly gardener, you can help them out by planting some of the Monarch's host plants in your flower garden.

Apr 13, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Learn how to create a colorful, blooming "pole garden" to attract hummingbirds and butterflys to your backyard. It's easy, it's fun, and both hummers and flying flowers will love it!

Mar 30, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Do butterflies really use "hibernation boxes" or "butterfly houses?" Read this article to find out what some wildlife experts say about this question. Also, read comments and experiences others have shared about this controversial subject.

Mar 16, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Springtime is just around the corner! My garden has been working hard for me underground as I've wiled away winter reading gardening magazines and books and dreaming about spring. The time is now upon me to pitch in and do MY part to help my butterfly and hummingbird garden thrive. It is finally "seedtime and budtime" again, and I'm excited!

Mar 2, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Besides nectar, some butterflies need certain minerals which are found in "puddles" or standing water. In addition, they need warm basking areas as well as shelter and cover from predators. Gardeners can help provide these few simple needs for butterflies with very little effort, thereby attracting more flying flowers to their flower gardens.

Feb 16, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Identifying butterflies that are more attracted to certain flowers than others can be helpful in planning your butterfly garden. You will marvel at the beauty of the "flying flowers" as you follow the links to their exquisite photographs in this article. Feel free to join in or begin a discussion about this article if you have questions or comments. Enjoy!

Feb 2, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Create striking hanging baskets to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your deck or patio. Easy to follow directions and other tips for making moss-filled wire baskets, along with a list of great plants to fill them!

Jan 19, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Great tips about how to properly use hummingbird feeders in your back or front yard garden. Feeders can be used either as an "artificial" nectar source in addition to natural nectar from your flowers, or as an alluring attractant for hummingbirds.

Jan 5, 1999 - Naomi Mathews

Gardening--whether for flowers, veggies, fruits, trees, shrubs--can be either an enjoyable avocation or a rewarding full-time career. The novice gardener who wants to learn as much as possible about gardening before delving into it blindly will be a much wiser gardener. Reading about some "Gardening Basics" will give you a great head start before you begin digging in the dirt!

Dec 31, 1998 - Naomi Mathews

Some exciting, easy to grow shrubs that produce tubular flowers which are great for attracting hummingbirds to backyard habitats.

Dec 22, 1998 - Naomi Mathews

A delightful tour of two butterfly conservatories. Look a butterfly in the eye, watch them fly with gossamer wings in lush indoor habitats, and photograph them imbibing nectar.

Dec 8, 1998 - Naomi Mathews

How gardeners can help restore the world's butterfly population by planting new butterfly gardens with nectar source plants, or help restore native butterfly habitats.

Nov 24, 1998 - Naomi Mathews

Planting flowering herbs as hummingbird attractants and nectar sources in backyard flower gardens.

Oct 27, 1998 - Naomi Mathews

Butterfly and hummingbird gardening with wildflowers. Nectar sources for butterflies and hummers. Host plants for caterpillars.

Oct 13, 1998 - Naomi Mathews

Planning and planting a hummingbird garden. Selecting appropriate nectar plants to attract hummingbirds.

Sep 29, 1998 - Naomi Mathews

A great many butterfly species need specific "host plants" on which to lay their eggs. Butterfly gardeners can help provide these by planting them in their gardens. Learn which plants will best attract butterflies that may be in your area.

Sep 15, 1998 - Naomi Mathews

If you want to attract butterflies -- or "flying flowers" -- to your garden, you'll want to read this article! You will learn about the four life stages of butterflies and how you as a gardener can create a habitat that butterflies can't resist.

Aug 24, 1998 - Naomi Mathews