How To Create A Butterfly Garden Design
When people design their gardens sometimes it is nice to have a theme or have a goal for that garden. A garden can be created to attract certain birds, bees, or butterflies. These gardens can be enjoyed by not only the creatures which they attract but by the creator as well.
Creating a butterfly garden design is making a garden which will attract butterflies. There are many considerations and things to include in a butterfly garden design. The garden designer will want to take the time to find just the right elements for their location and for the types of butterflies they want to attract. It is not hard to create a butterfly garden design and there are many helpful gardening books and internet sites where additional information can be found for more info.
Plants For A Butterfly Garden Design
Adult butterflies are attracted to flowers. Butterflies feed on nectar which is in the flowers. Incorporating many flowering plants of various colors into the butterfly garden design will inevitably attract adult butterflies. Plants such as butterfly bush, butterfly weed, azalea, lilac, marigold and impatiens will be big attractors.
If the goal of the butterfly garden design is to make an attractive area for butterflies at all stages of life then milkweed, dogbane, thistles and nettles will have to be incorporated. These are not usually desirable plants for a garden but will be where the butterflies lay their eggs and where the caterpillars will feed.
Other Items To Include In A Butterfly Garden Design
It will be necessary to provide a water source in the butterfly garden design. A small pool, a bird bath, or a couple small pans inset in the soil will make nice pools of water for the butterflies. Another important feature is to make an area where the butterflies can warm themselves. Dark rocks or other solid objects that absorb the heat from the sun can be place around the garden where the butterflies can stop and rest.
Another nice feature to add is an area where cut up fresh fruit can be placed to supplement the butterfly’s diet. This fruit will need to be replaced often so it is always fresh. Also, a hummingbird feeder can be placed in the garden. The butterflies will use the feeder and hummingbirds will be attracted also. A nice addition to the butterfly garden design would be a small bench and perhaps even a gazebo where a person can sit and enjoy the quiet solitude the garden will provide.