We’re passionate about birds and nature. That’s why we opened a Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in our community.
Village West #17,
3330 W. 26th
Erie, PA 16506
Phone: (814) 838-5145
Email: Send Message
Store Hours:
Mon - Thurs: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: Closed
Butterflies are a welcome visitor to any yard. They add vivid color to the garden and bring joy to everyone who watches them. Creating a butterfly garden will allow you to enjoy more of these flying flowers in your own yard all summer long. There are a few simple steps you can take to maximize the different types of butterflies that will visit.
Host plants are the most important component of a butterfly garden. They can be thought of as the 'nursery' where your butterflies will start their lives. Adult butterflies lay their eggs on these plants and when the larvae (caterpillars) emerge, they eat the leaves. Most species of butterflies have only one or two types of plants they can eat as caterpillars, such as Monarchs using milkweed plants. Host plants range from flowers to herbs to shrubs and trees. Planting a variety of host plants can increase the variety of butterflies that visit your yard. It is important to keep in mind that these plants will have their leaves consumed by the caterpillars - using pesticides to prevent this leaf damage will kill the caterpillars you are trying to raise.
Nectar plants are what many people think of when they consider making a butterfly garden. These are plants that have nectar-bearing flowers which the adult butterflies will feed from. Multiple species of butterflies may visit the same nectar plants to feed. Plant different flowers that blossom from spring to fall to encourage butterflies to visit your yard for many months.
Click Here for a list of host and nectar plants for different species of butterflies.
Some species of butterflies require minerals and other sources of foods beside nectar. Overripe bananas, pears, and other juicy fruits can be placed on open areas like logs or flat rocks. Butterflies will visit these for the fermenting sugars and potassium. Tiger Swallowtails and other butterflies will visit mud puddles for minerals. Use a bit of clay soil in a pan and add water to create 'butterfly puddles'.
Adult butterflies like places where they can sit and sun themselves. Short branches of dead wood can be stuck into the ground to create perching spots. These same branches may also be utilized by the caterpillars as a place to attach their coccoons. Flat stones in open sections of the garden or lining the garden will also work to provide spots for butterflies to sun. Shelter from the elements will be used by both adult butterflies and caterpillars. Some butterflies in our area, like the Mourning Cloak, will overwinter as adults. They will seek out places like wood piles where there are small crevices they can crawl between and hibernate in. Creating small, loose piles of long, wide strips or bark among your garden offers butterflies places they can find protection year-round.
Caterpillars and butterflies are extremely sensitive to even small amounts of chemical pesticides. Look for organic alternatives to caring for your yard and garden. Remember, you want the caterpillars to eat the leaves of the host plants.
