bringing in butterflies

To get butterflies to visit and stay in your garden, you need to provide them with food and warmth. They feed on the nectar they get from flowers, but to attract the most butterflies, don’t stop at just offering nectar plants for the showy adults. You’ll also want to grow plants where they can lay their eggs and the caterpillars that hatch can eat and grow.

FOOD —These three perennials, Virginia bluebells, columbine and common violet, are good larval plants. Easy to grow and pest-resistant, they’ll happily seed themselves around your garden. All are cold-hardy to USDA zone 3. It’s OK if you see a few chewed leaves on your plants, they’ll be fine. So don’t bother spraying — you’re raising future butterflies!

WARMTH —Because they’re cold-blooded, adult butterflies appreciate a sunny driveway or other concrete, stone or brick hardscaping. These surfaces warm up early in the day and stay warm late into the evening. By hanging out near the warmth, the butterflies can stay active (and eat) longer.

To see a beautiful butterfly plan — with both nectar and larval plants — check out Beautiful Butterfly Border from the current issue of Garden Gate magazine at right!