Butterflies

[Kitten]

When I was growing up, we always seemed to have tons of butterflies in our yards and gardens. I don't seem to have that now, though, so what should I do to attract them more?

[athena24]

Find out what plants and bushes are native to your area and plant them. I have milkweed, parsley, passion vine in the flower garden. Those are host plants. I also have native plum, blueberry, serviceberry and goldenrod and of course, a butterfly bush also is works wonders. This time of year I see loads of butterflies in the yard, landing on the flowers for nectar and laying their eggs on the host plants. Oh, also some zinnia, they love zinnias.
I hope this helps. The host plants can be started from seed, very easy.

christine

[hairycaterpillar]

We use buddleja (butterfly bush) in Britain. Our native butterfly's love it. I don't know if it's the same in America but you could always give it a go.

[Penny]

I grow alot of coneflowers and it really seems to attract them, also beebalm is supposed to be good as well,

[dgreee16]

Here is an article I wrote on attracting butterflies to your garden. You might find it helpful: http://davidsgardeningtips.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/butterfly-gardening/

[danthegardener1234]

Hi

Coming into Spring Butterflies do like Lavender, Primroses, Forget me not, Sweet william and Bluebells.

Dan the Gardener

[pharmerphil]

All great advice..I will add..
GO ORGANIC...
or use chemical sprays responsibily

[nofeargardener]

The butterflies here really seem to like our Sedum Spectabile.

[alp12ha]

Nowadays end of greenery and due to pollution butterflies end in city but it now available in rural areas.

[SprigsandRoots]

+1 on the butterfly bush vote. If they grow in your area, they will be loaded with butterflies by mid-summer!

[Cody Wellard]

I have two butterfly bushes and cone flowers, I have found the butterflies love both. I didn't know they liked parsley, I will have to plant some in my garden this year.

[lavendergirl]

I'd have to try the butterfly bushes then. I love this thread! Now, I don't just have to content myself with looking at the pretty butterflies on my phone and on my computer as my background and screensaver. I do love to go out and see those butterflies for real. I've just started with gardening again though and have gone through a lot of stuff online, including this helpful thread.

[AdamBorzy]

Add nectar-rich flowering plants to your garden. Similar plants like sunflowers, marigolds and some pentas, attract butterflies and avoid spraying poisonous pesticides if possible.

[LIcenter]

They like Yarrow, and Rose of Sharon also. I use mass plantings of many plants suggested here. What you also should do is give them a place to drink water. I use a small birdbath in the center of my planting with a flat rock in the center just above the water line. I remember reading not long ago, a monarch butterfly can smell Asclepias incarnata butterfly weed from 20 miles away. So there is that.