Butterfly
Gardening
Butterflies
and hummingbirds are a magicical and wonderful site in the garden.
I have viewed at least 15 different species of butterflies
including the Polydamas, Giant Tiger Swallowtail, Gulf Fritillary
, Sulfurs, Blues, Eastern Black Swallowtail ,and the Zebra Longwing.
This past year I decided to create a massive butterfly garden
in the front yard. The landscape consists of 98% butterfly plants,
both larval and nectar, arranged as mass plantings in order to
create a natural wild look. Within one month the garden increased
by 5 species or more. During a hot sunny day you will see many
butterflies laying eggs, engaging in combat, mating, and feeding.
The trick to
butterfly gardening is to have a wide variety of nectar plants
and the proper larval plants for the butterflies to lay eggs.
Mass plantings help hide eaten foliage and provide a naturally
wild look which is sure to attract many butterflies and pollinating
insects. When planting be diligent to allow room for growth ,
use a time release fertilizer, and water when necessary.
Pentas: Nectar
Milkweed:
Larval
Passiflora
Violacea: Larval
Butterflies
need places to hide therefore passion vines provide 2 purposes:
food for caterpillars and shelter for the butterflies. The Gulf
Frittillary uses passion vines as their larval plants with exception
to the Scarlet Flame passion Vine. They love to feed on Pentas,
Blue Porterweed, Cosmos, Blue Salvia, Lantana, and Sapphire Showers
Golden Dewdrop.
Blue
Porterweed : Nectar
Cosmos:
Nectar
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vHaving
butterflies in you
den is a
must