How to Create a ****erfly Garden

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A ****erfly garden is a great way to attract a variety of different ****erflies to your yard. Not only are ****erflies are delicate and beautiful to look at, but since they pollinate plants, they’re actually really important to our ecosystem, too. When you’re planning your garden, research the plants that ****erflies in your area prefer. Be sure to include nectar plants for their food, as well as host plants for caterpillars!

EditSteps

EditChoosing the Plants

1. Research the species of ****erflies that are native to your area. In order for the plants in your garden to attract ****erflies, it’s essential to understand which species might be living nearby. To determine this, you can research online, read a ****erfly field guide, or talk to local horticulturists and ****erfly gardeners. If there’s a local ****erfly garden in your area, you may want to plan a trip to see what’s planted there, as well![1][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/5e/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-1-Version-2.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-1-Version-2.jpg[/IMG]
   • For a map of ****erflies found in each U.S. state, visit https://www.the****erflysite.com/***...-by-area.shtml.
   • The ****erflies in your area will typically feed on plants that are native to your region.
   • Once you know which ****erflies can be found in your area, use that information to decide which plants to include in your garden.
2. Plant a variety of nectar plants for your ****erflies to feed on. Adult ****erflies get most of their food and moisture from the nectar produced by certain flowers. While some species prefer some plants over others, ****erflies will often feed on any nectar-producing plants, especially those with brightly-colored flowers.[2][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/68/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-2-Version-2.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-2-Version-2.jpg[/IMG]
   • Some popular nectar-producing plants that will attract ****erflies include purple coneflowers, milkweed, ****erfly weed, asters, marigold, zinnia, cosmos, and lantana.[3]
3. Choose host plants where your ****erflies can lay eggs. Once you identify the ****erflies that are native to your area, research where they prefer to lay their eggs. Then, include those host plants when you’re planning what you want in your garden. While adult ****erflies aren’t always picky about their sources of nectar, they are extremely particular about where they lay their eggs. That’s because ****erflies usually lay their eggs on the plants that their larvae feed on, and that usually consists of only 1 or a very few specific plants.[4][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/8/88/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-3-Version-2.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-3-Version-2.jpg[/IMG]
   • Adult ****erflies typically lay their eggs on different plants than the ones they feed from themselves.
   • For example, a monarch ****erfly will only lay her eggs on milkweed, since that is the only food a monarch caterpillar will eat.
   • Black swallowtails prefer to lay their eggs on dill, parsley, fennel, and carrot.[5]
   • A Gorgone Checkerspot lays its eggs on the sunflower plant.
4. Opt for plants with wide, flat clusters of brightly-colored, fragrant flowers. Not all of the plants in your garden have to be specific to the local ****erflies in your area. ****erflies are attracted to bright colors, so consider that when you’re choosing plants, but you can include anything you wish in your garden. If you’re adding in more flowers, keep in mind that ****erflies prefer plants with large clusters of blooms, since this provides an easy base for them to land on, especially if the clusters grow flat, like goldenrods, zinnias, verbena, or Spirea.[6][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/0/06/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-4-Version-2.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-4-Version-2.jpg[/IMG]
   • ****erflies especially like purple, pink, orange, and yellow flowers. However, some ****erflies can’t see the color red, so be sure that’s not the only color you plant![7]
   • The fragrance of the flowers will also help attract the ****erflies to the garden.
5. Include a variety of heights, colors, and shapes in your garden. Planting a diverse selection of plants will help attract more ****erflies to your garden. If you plant a variety of colorful blooms, the ****erflies will be more likely to see the garden from a distance. Also, you’ll be more likely to see multiple species of ****erflies if you have a more diverse selection of food and host plants for them to enjoy.[8][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/dd/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-5-Version-2.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-5-Version-2.jpg[/IMG]
   • A variety of plant heights will help your ****erflies feel more sheltered.
6. Leave a nearby section of wild grass and wildflowers, if it’s possible. If you have the space, consider leaving a patch of ground somewhere near your garden where you grow the natural grass, wildflowers, and undergrowth that would occur in the wild. During periods of wind and inclement weather, ****erflies typically take shelter in tall grass and shrubs. This patch will provide a natural hiding spot to keep your ****erflies safe.[9][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/bf/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-6-Version-2.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-6-Version-2.jpg[/IMG]
   • They’ll also hide here if any predators approach.
   • If this isn’t possible, you may want to include a ****erfly house in your garden instead.

EditPicking the Location and Planting the Garden

1. Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. As you’re planning your garden, spend a clear day watching the way the sun travels across your yard. Every hour or so, take note of which areas are in the sun, and which are shaded. Then, pick one of the sunniest spots as the location for your garden.[10][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/1e/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-7-Version-2.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-7-Version-2.jpg[/IMG]
   • ****erflies are cold-blooded, so they require sunlight to warm them up throughout the day.
2. Pick a location that’s sheltered from strong wind. If the ****erflies are exposed to high winds, they’ll spend most of their energy just trying not to get blown around. Place your ****erfly garden near a wall, a fence, or a wooded area to help them conserve energy so they can eat and lay their eggs.[11][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/a8/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-8.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-8.jpg[/IMG]
   • For example, if you have a shed and your area is frequently subjected to cold north winds, you could place your garden on the south side of the shed.
3. Place the shorter plants in front with taller varieties in back. The ****erflies will have an easier time reaching their food if you arrange your plants from shortest to tallest, almost like stair steps. Place larger bushes and shrubs in the back, with shorter flowers in the very front.[12][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/7/75/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-9.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-9.jpg[/IMG]
   • If you don’t have room to plant shrubs, try placing an arbor with vines near the back of your garden.
4. Plant your flowers in large groups. ****erflies are pretty small, but they prefer big clumps of flowers. Try to group your flowers together in large masses. The ****erflies will be able to see the garden from a distance, and you’ll get more visitors to enjoy.[13][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/6/62/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-10.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-10.jpg[/IMG]
   • It’s fine to include different, non-****erfly plants in your garden. However, try to keep the flowers close together, as this will make feeding easier for the ****erflies.
5. Group flowers that will bloom at the same time. To make the most of your ****erfly display, research what time of year each plant will bloom. Then, create sections out of the plants with the same flowering window so you’ll have bright groups of blooms opening at about the same time.[14][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/e/ee/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-11.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-11.jpg[/IMG]
   • For instance, if some of your plants open in the late spring and others will bloom into the early fall, you could group your spring plants on one side of the garden, and your late-bloomers on the other side.
   • If you have a small garden, you might not need to section it off.

EditAdding Other ****erfly-Friendly Elements

1. Include 1 or 2 large, flat rocks in your ****erfly garden. ****erflies love to soak up the sun while resting on a nice, warm rock, especially early in the morning. By including these rocks in your garden, the ****erflies will have a chance to get warmed up before they start feeding for the day.[15][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/b/b3/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-12.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-12.jpg[/IMG]
   • Try to place the rocks so the sun hits them first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon. This is when ****erflies need the most warmth.
2. Provide a patch of wet sand where the ****erflies can drink. ****erflies typically won’t try to drink out of a deep water source like a pond or a birdbath. Instead, they prefer to get their moisture from damp earth. To help ensure your ****erflies have plenty to drink, create a small area filled with sand, then pour water onto the sand whenever it seems dry.[16][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/d/d9/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-13.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-13.jpg[/IMG]
   • If you don’t have a lot of space, you can fill a shallow saucer with sand, then add a little water every day or so, or as needed.
3. Set up a ****erfly box if you want to give extra shelter. A ****erfly box is similar to a bird house, but it has slatted openings. You can hang your ****erfly box in a tree, on the side of a shed, or place it on a stake if you’d like to put one in your garden. It will provide shelter to your ****erflies during rough weather or at night when they’re sleeping.[17][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/5/56/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-14.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-14.jpg[/IMG]
   • The slatted openings should keep birds and bats from getting into the ****erfly box.
   • If you have a large garden, you may want to include more than one box.
4. Put out a tray of fruit s****s if you want to provide extra food. While your ****erflies should get all of the nutrients they need from the nectar plants in your garden, they may enjoy an extra treat if you’d like to include one. Early in the morning, place out a small tray filled with cut-up pieces of fruit, including the flesh and the peels..[18][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/c/cb/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-15.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-15.jpg[/IMG]
   • ****erflies like Admirals and Red-Spotted Purples especially love sliced oranges, pears, or melons.
5. Hang a ****erfly feeder in your garden for a steady source of nectar. If you want to ensure your ****erflies always have something to eat, even when your garden isn’t in bloom, you can hang a ****erfly feeder in your garden. Fill the feeder with nectar, then place the feeder on a stake or hang it from a tree near your garden.[19][IMG]https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/1/16/Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-16.jpg/aid178106-v4-728px-Create-a-****erfly-Garden-Step-16.jpg[/IMG]
   • You can find ****erfly feeders and nectar at most garden supply stores.
   • You can also make your own ****erfly food by mixing 1 part sugar with 1 part water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then wait for it to cool before you add it to the feeder.
   • A hummingbird feeder won’t work for ****erflies, since those are designed for the birds’ long, narrow beaks.

EditTips

• Unfortunately, many species of ****erflies have suffered declining populations in recent years. By providing them with a safe place to eat and lay their eggs, your ****erfly garden could help sustain your local ****erfly numbers!

EditWarnings

• ****erflies are very delicate and are extremely susceptible to being harmed by pesticides. Whenever possible, use organic pest control solutions instead of harsh chemicals.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Create a Perennial Garden
• Create a Rustic Flower Garden
• Raise ****erflies
• Make a Fairy House
• Grow Iris
• Grow ****erfly Weed

EditSources and Citations

EditQuick Summary


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