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BASICS of BUTTERFLY GARDENING by Ann B

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BASICS of BUTTERFLY GARDENING by Ann B NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLY ASSOCIATION 4 Delaware Road, Morristown, NJ 07960 tel. 973-285-0907 fax 973-285-0936 Visit our web site at www.naba.org BASICS OF BUTTERFLY GARDENING by Ann B. Swengel, 1995 Among the most delightful residents already table) but the best way to cater to native living in your yard are butterflies. These colorful butterflies is with native plants. A number of the insects are found throughout North America. best native nectar sources occur widely Some butterflies are quite adaptable to garden throughout the country and are suitable for settings and readily respond to horticultural efforts horticulture (see table). Sometimes the gardener to please them. The goal of butterfly gardening is needs to re-evaluate the worth and beauty of a to improve your yard so that more butterflies will plant from the butterflies' point of view. The live there. flowers of milkweeds are actually quite lovely as Sunshine. Cold-blooded creatures, well as attractive to many butterflies. Remember butterflies usually begin the day by sunbathing to to watch the plants for Monarch caterpillars. warm their bodies so that they can become Thistles are the rose of the butterfly world - active. Although they often bask on vegetation, attractive nectar flowers on a prickly plant (that is butterflies also favor exposed dirt paths, gravelly serves as caterpillar food). The butterflies favor areas, and pavement because they heat up them but your neighbors and community weed quickly in sunshine. ordinances may not. Check local laws before Moisture. Many butterflies feed not only on you permit "weeds" in your yard. Some butterfly nectar but also on moisture such as dew and tree favorites may never be particularly appropriate sap. Puddle edges and moist dirt are especially for a garden, but they can be tolerated in a back popular, probably because nutritious minerals corner of the yard. Some plants to avoid leached from the soil are dissolved in the water. weeding include clovers (especially red), alfalfa, Avoid grading out depressions that collect runoff dandelions, dogbanes, heal-all and other mints, but instead protect them, especially if they catch pussy toes, various mustards and cresses, and sunlight after the clouds clear. Such wet spots wild strawberry. Please be sure you are not are especially valuable in arid climates, where violating any law or neighborly sensibilities before butterflies may concentrate around streamsides you tolerate these species in your yard. Beware, and other damp areas. also, that without careful control, weeds may Flowers. The most delightful part of the spread aggressively and smother out other butterfly garden is the flowery area where adult desirable plants. butterflies seek nectar. Because butterflies are Selecting plants. Evaluate the plants in the sunlovers, a flower garden designed for them table by consulting reference books on gardening. should be in a bright spot (generally a minimum of Research the care requirements, appearance, half sun daily). Some exotic (alien or non-native) and flowering seasons of these plants so that you garden flowers attract hungry butterflies (see can plant kinds suitable for your taste, site, and President: Jeffrey Glassberg; Vice President: Ann Swengel; Secretary/Treasurer: Jane V. Scott Directors: Brian Cassie, Fred Heath, Paul Opler, Steven Prchal, Robert Robbins, Jim Springer, Patricia Sutton, Guy Tudor climate that will provide flowers throughout the consider letting some of the leaves that fall in growing season. Since some perennials, shrubs, autumn work for them as fertile winter protection and trees may require several years or more to for their gardens and shrubs. These leaves will establish, you might interplant these areas with also provide safe cover for hibernating butterflies. annuals for several years to fill in the bare spots For arid regions where fire is a hazard, be sure and provide more nectar. To discover the best to follow ordinances and recommendations for flowers for your butterflies, note which kinds controlling fuel accumulation (dry plant matter), butterflies in your area prefer to feed on when for the safety of you, your neighbors, and your you visit parks and refuges in your region. You butterflies. may discover that some kinds recommended here Pest control. Butterfly caterpillars usually do are not popular with your area's butterflies, but not overeat their welcome, but other insects can that some plants not mentioned here are local wreak havoc in the garden. Unfortunately, the butterfly favorites. quickest way to control them (insecticides) is Caterpillar food plants. Particularly poisonous to your butterfly friends. The butterfly effective butterfly gardens combine a supply of gardener should avoid these chemicals. At most, nectar flowers for adults with food plants (hosts) use them very sparingly and restrict treatment for caterpillars. Include parsley, dill, fennel, directly to the infestation according to label and/or carrots in your garden and you may feed directions. For other pest control techniques, the caterpillars of Anise or Black Swallowtails. consult your local agricultural extension office for The brightly striped caterpillars rarely eat more information on "integrated pest management." than their share. Some plants serve as food both This includes growing sturdy, resistant plants well for caterpillars and adults, including asters, adapted to your area and growing a mix of them, clovers, sunflowers, vetches, wild buckwheat, each in small scattered clumps. This discourages wild cherries, and wild mustards. The best way any particular insect from overpopulating the to accommodate the eating preferences of garden. Encourage songbirds to raise their caterpillars is to leave some of the vegetation broods in your yard, since their hungry nestlings native to your area intact in your yard. Ashes, devour vast volumes of worms and caterpillars. hackberries, oaks, poplars, violets, and willows Most important, cultivate a sense of indulgent all serve as food plants for many kinds of tolerance. After all, the plants and animals are the caterpillars. Nettles are also an important larval ones that have to accommodate human tampering food plant. If you're lucky enough to have a with our yards' original habitats. Besides, some patch in an unobtrusive location, leave it alone of those seeming pests may actually be immature and be grateful! Other lowly but important larval life stages of creatures you like, such as food plants are probably lurking there, too. butterflies! Others may be on the plant but not Cover. Besides providing native larval and actually causing much damage. And some insects nectar plants, an unmanicured back corner of the - such as ladybugs and ambush bugs - as well as yard also provides locations for butterflies to spiders are actually your comrades, cooperating spend the night and the winter in suitable cover, with you in pest control. such as tree bark, bushes, grass clumps, and leaf Butterfly watching. Once you've begun to litter. Gardeners in temperate areas should notice and encourage your butterflies, you'll want 2 to approach them closely to enjoy their beauty Do not expect hordes of butterflies, however, and observe their activities. You will be most since complete, intact habitat is necessary to successful if you remember these simple rules: support substantial populations of butterflies. Go slow, go low, approach from behind, and Those gardeners blessed with larger and more don't cross the butterfly with your shadow. natural yards may be amazed at the remarkable Impatience is the worst temptation when variety and beauty of the butterflies living there. approaching a butterfly, but sudden movement Again, do not expect to be overrun with can rapidly flush your quarry. Also avoid being butterflies. Their numbers are in balance with the silhouetted against the sky in the butterfly's line of amount of habitat available for them to use and sight. By keeping low against a background of with the other creatures that also make their home trees or shrubs, you will be less obvious to the there. Remember, though, that you won't find insect. If you walk straight toward a butterfly's any butterflies unless you take advantage of face, it will easily see you, but if you approach warm, sunny days to spend some time looking for from its behind, it will be less likely to notice you. them! Don't jinx your approach by letting your shadow Caution. Watch out, though - butterfly cross over the butterfly - this sudden change in gardening can change your life. You will discover lighting may frighten it. When approaching and your yard is a home not just for people, but for observing your butterflies, you may work up a plants and animals, including butterflies, that are sweat. Don't be surprised if a butterfly lands on having ever greater difficulty finding a place to live you to sip your salty perspiration! For a good elsewhere. An orderly yard with a perfectly kept view from a bit further away, try looking at the garden of exotic flowers requires great skill, but butterfly through binoculars. A pair that focuses a more natural and native look yields not just close (to within 5-10 feet) is most useful for flowers and vegetables but also birds and butterfly watching. butterflies. As novel and alluring as alien plant What to expect. A little effort to please varieties may be, a native species can be just as butterflies is bound to be rewarding no matter lovely and would likely do just as well - or even where you garden. Even in town with little natural better. A butterfly gardener easily, imperceptibly habitat in the vicinity, your sunny flower garden graduates from planting some nectar flowers in can be an excellent place to watch butterflies, the border to jealously protecting wild corners of since they will commute in to this source of food. butterfly habitat in the yard - and the world. 3.
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