THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN ~ DECK OR PATIO SIZE
by Carole Schwalm

A Glass of Wine, a Warm Summer Breeze and Butterflies

First, let’s learn a little bit about butterflies.

There are 700 species.

Most adult butterflies live only ten to twenty days. The migrating monarchs live approximately six months.

A butterfly’s tongue, if uncoiled, is as long as its body. This allows them to reach the flower nectar.

Butterflies do not cause damage. Do not confuse them with bagworms, tent caterpillars or gypsy moths who do.

Butterflies won’t feed in the shade.

Male butterflies especially like salt water and flat rocks that allow them to cop an attitude, and pose for the female, so they can make little butterflies.

Butterflies need plants like milkweeds, zinnias, marigolds and verbenas where their caterpillars can grow. Other flowers are adults-only for nectar.

Butterflies like flowers they can comfortably land on, like flat-topped, clustered flowers or those with tubes.

As cities grow, butterflies lose more and more habitats, and yes, they are friendly and yes, you can share your deck or patio with them in an up close and personal way.

You’ll love the flowers they love because they are red, yellow, orange, pink, purple, yellow and white as long as there are nectar-rich blossoms.

The butterfly bush, or buddleia flowers, is nectar-rich and acts like a magnet for butterflies from the moment they are in flower.

The buddleia davidii has dark purple, reddish purple, hot pink, rose pink or pure white flowers.

Fallowiana Alba has silvery flowers

Loch Inch has silvery gray flowers

Weyeriana has yellow-orange flowers

Last but not least (eNature) butterflies like juice from rotting fruit, for example, a small amount of wine with smashed banana. They’ll join you for your cocktail hour.