The picture on the left demonstrates why I plant phlox in my garden. This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail was completely still for a very long time as it happily sipped nectar from my flower. I was able to take six pictures without it moving anything other than its proboscis.
Let’s not forget butterflies when we’re thinking about helping our wildlife to survive in an increasingly shrinking habitat that is laced with pesticides and pollution. Those winged wonders need our help too. And they give back so much pleasure. I can’t imagine a summer in my garden without these graceful creatures.
A small butterfly garden would be an exciting treat for your children or grandchildren. What a wildlife teaching opportunity! Butterflies are fascinating and fun to watch in all stages of their lives. And you can start a butterfly garden with just a few pots of carefully chosen sun loving plants. Single blooms are better than double blooms, because their nectar is more accessible and easier to extract. Try easy annuals like zinnia, marigold, pentas, lantana and globe amaranth.
Butterflies can’t drink from bird baths or ponds. They need a special little “water hole” of their very own. You can take care of a butterfly’s water needs by placing a shallow saucer filled with moist salty sand near your plants. To make your butterflies really happy, place a flat rock in your garden so they can sunbathe on it to warm up on those cool mornings.
Remember not to use pesticides in or near your butterfly garden. A certain amount of chewing will occur, but how else can caterpillars get the fuel to turn into those lovely winged beauties?
For more information about butterflies and the plants they love, go to How to Make Butterfly Gardens and Butterfly Gardening or call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON and ask for PA Wildlife Publication # 8, Gardening for Butterflies.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
August 11, 2007: Vegetable & Fruit Sculpting
Learn how to create sculpted veggies & fruit. This is a hands-on workshop.
September 8, 2007: Gourds & Birdhouses
Learn how to make birdhouses and other useful items from gourds you can grow in your garden. This is a hands-on workshop.
September 29, 2007: Master Gardeners Fall Fest & Plant Sale
Registration required for all events (except plant sale). Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website at http://delaware.extension.psu.edu/MG/MGcalendar.
