The goal is for every flower that fades, a new one is ready to come into bloom.Īdd some long-flowering varieties like yarrow and black eyed Susan for good measure. When plotting things out this spring, include a variety of perennials and annuals with different bloom times that cover the entire season. To keep them coming back for more, you’ll want to make sure your gardens are in a constant state of bloom. Plan for Continuous Bloomīutterflies need good nectar sources from early spring all the way until late in the fall. Large petaled blooms, flat-topped umbels, and short and narrow tubular flowers are the easiest for butterflies to land on and access the sweet stuff. Strongly scented blossoms signal to butterflies a rich source of nectar. Flowers with blue or green tones are generally the least liked by butterflies. While each butterfly species will have its own preferences, most are attracted to blooms that are white, pink, purple, red, yellow, and orange. Just as we are, butterflies are drawn to particular flowers because of their shape, color, and fragrance. Try to plant your butterfly garden in a spot that receives full sun from the mid-morning to the mid-afternoon – as this is the time of day when butterflies are most active. They will bask, with wings spread out, to soak up the sun’s rays and warm up their muscles when they get too cold. As cold-blooded insects, butterflies can only fly when temperatures are at least 60☏ (16☌), though 81☏ (27☌) and above are best. It’s no accident that the wildflowers butterflies feed upon are sun-lovers.īutterflies are literally solar-powered. ![]() ![]() Use the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to search for native plant species by state or province. The more closely you can match plants to your geographical region, the better. Growing native flowers is the first step in creating a haven for the butterfly community. Plants depend on butterflies to cross pollinate and produce seed, while butterflies need flower nectar as a food source to survive. Over the course of millions of years, butterflies and plants have co-evolved to the point of perfect symbiosis. To encourage more monarchs, skippers, blues, and swallowtails, you’ll need to think like a butterfly. For the most part, if you plant the right plants, they will come.Īnd with roughly 750 species of butterfly that range through North America, there’s a diverse mix of butterflies to potentially attract to your lands. Gardening for the butterflies is splendidly straightforward. How to Attract More Butterflies to Your Gardens Glimpsing these spectacular creatures among your flowers is one of those things that makes the garden such a magical place. ![]() Some are pigmented in specific hues, while others are iridescent and shift in color depending on the angle of view. The exquisite colors and intricate patterns of butterfly wings seem to shimmer and change color right before our very eyes.īutterfly wings are actually made up of microscopic scales that overlap like tiny roof shingles. Along with bees and hover flies, butterflies play a vital role in plant reproduction.īut more than this, seeing a butterfly at rest on a flower head is profoundly mesmerizing. Butterflies are among the most appealing insects found in nature.Īs indispensable members of the beneficial insect crew, butterflies are essential pollinators that pick up tiny grains of pollen on their legs and heads as they flutter from flower to flower.
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