Part One:
What would a garden be without butterflies? These flying wonders do more
that add beauty. You can design your garden to make sure that butterflies not
only visit but move in and raise their family.
What butterflies are native to your region? A
visit to your local library may help with this, or if you have a Nature Society,
start there. Like any successful garden, the butterfly garden requires some
research and planning. You will need to know what they like to eat and where
they sleep, in short, you need to know butterfly habitats and habits.
Butterflies have
large, rounded compound eyes which allow them to see in all directions without
turning their heads. Like most insects, butterflies are very nearsighted, and
are more attracted to large stands of a particular flower than those planted
singly.
Butterflies are unable to see the colour red, but they can see polarized light
as well as ultraviolet light. This ability
guides them to nectar sources. When you set out the feast (nectar) the butterflies will flock.
Butterflies also have a very well-developed sense of smell from their
antennae. All butterflies’ antennae are club-shaped, as opposed to moths, which
can be many shapes but often are feathery.
As you gain knowledge about your native butterflies, you learn what they enjoy
for lunch.
Different species of butterflies have different nectar preferences, in both
colors and tastes. Provide a wide range of plant possibilities and the
butterflies will fly to the feast.
Butterflies will not move in if you only provide a meal. They will visit but will not stay and bred. So, you need to know which plants they choose for laying their eggs. Diversity is the key word here, ecosystems thrive on diversity. Designing for butterflies provides you with an opportunity to explore and have some fun. Butterfly gardening enables you to engage your imagination.
My next post will examine plant selection, always
bearing in mind this basic guideline, right plant, right place.
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