How to Design a Butterfly Garden

Butterflies are colorful attractions to your garden during spring as well as summer. It gives the garden that wow factor and is a major attraction for anyone who enters your garden, especially children. So, if you ever wanted to design a butterfly garden, but need help with the design, this article will provide the info you need. 

1. Research the various types of butterflies that you can use in your garden. This is an important factor when it comes to designing your butterfly garden. Look for butterflies that are native to your specific area, and the types of flowers that they enjoy. Some plants that we call weeds attract butterflies such as milkweeds, dogbane, nettles and thistles. 


2. Conduct your research online, or visit your local library to find native butterflies. When you do your research, consider also that butterflies need a place to hibernate and lay eggs as well. Do not worry about your garden size and shape because they do not matter.  


3. Understand the life cycle of a butterfly when you design your garden. They do not start out as butterfly but start life as an egg, which when hatch becomes caterpillars. During the caterpillar stage they feed on their egg shell, followed by their host plant. At the adult stage, their food of choice is nectar. 


4. Decide where you want to start your garden if you have not created one prior. Make sure your garden has a sunny location.  


5. Plant bushes as well as trees close by because your butterflies will require shelter. If not, consider building a couple butterfly houses and hang.


6. Plant like flowers together in a group to attract more butterflies. Add as many varieties of plants in your garden to attract a larger variety of butterflies.


7. Consider adding a water feature to your garden so your butterflies have water readily available. Add a birdbath or any other water feature you can think of in the garden. Leave overripe fruit in your garden if you can because butterflies find fruits attractive.