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In creating a Butterfly Garden, it is essential that the needs
of a butterfly are met. Attributes
such as light, shelter, water and food all need to be considered when
constructing your garden.
Shelter
It is very crucial that plenty of shelter is provided for the
butterflies. Butterflies
need shelter for various reasons.
One is that when they face the wind, their body temperature
drops. When this occurs
butterflies can’t take advantage of the full flight ability.
Also, it is proven that butterflies thrive better in a
sheltered area than in an open area.
Lastly, butterflies need not struggle in flight if the area is
protected from the harsh weather and wind.
Solution:
Shelter can be easily provided for butterflies.
Things that you already have set up in your yard, such as
shrubs, trees, fences, or walls, are efficient in providing shelter.
Alternatively, plant fruit trees such as cherry, plum, pear,
chestnut, or any other trees that supply nectar as well as shelter.
Keep in mind that the positioning of the shelter is very vital.
It needs to be positioned so as not to block out too much
sunlight. During the
winter, shelter can be provided in the forms of log piles or piles of
leaf litter.
Sunlight
Sunlight is very crucial for butterflies.
For this reason, butterflies typically aren’t seen on cloudy
days and in the morning. Butterflies
are unable to take advantage of their full flight abilities without
heat from the sun. When
maximum amount of sunlight is available, it gives them more time to
mate and for the females to lay eggs.
Also, butterflies can begin feeding and flying earlier with
more heat. Studies have
proved that providing butterflies the maximum amount of sunlight has
increased growth rates.
Solution
:
To give the butterflies the utmost amount of sunshine, provide
ample open space in the garden, preferably in the center.
It is important that butterflies are given adequate room to fly
and catch the sun. Also,
it is important to locate nectar flowers in areas where butterflies
can get an abundant amount of sun.
Another option is to put rocks throughout the garden to give
them areas in which they can bask while absorbing the warmth from
rocks.
Water
and Nutrients
A necessary aspect of a
butterfly’s life is what is known ad “puddling.”
This is when butterflies gravitate to areas where moisture has
soaked into soil or sand, leaving mud or a damp area.
About two dozen butterflies may gather in this type of area. Mostly males gather, for they need minerals, such as salt,
that puddling provides.
Solution
:
Fill and old pan with sand and leave it in your garden. If it dries out just add some more water.
Another way of providing nutrients for the butterflies would be
to set up salt licks throughout the garden.
In addition, an important asset to a butterfly garden is to
install streams or ponds, which would provide water as well as
nutrients. Lastly, allow
damp areas to form all through the garden, adding salt water from time
to time.
Setting
up a Garden
When actually planning the set-up of a butterfly garden, most
people will only think about the plants.
The kinds of plants and how they’re set up will determine the
success of the garden. Flowers
blooming in large numbers and large areas typically attract
butterflies. The more
area that is covered, and the more flowers blooming, the more the
quantity of butterflies will increase.
To maximize the population, you must also take into
consideration growing plants that are food for the butterflies’
caterpillars.
Solution:
When planting flowers make sure to check that they have a blooming
season from early spring to late fall. Plant a good mixture of
annuals, which bloom through summer. Also, plant perennials,
which bloommore restrictedly but reappear each year. Butterfly
bush and weeds are both excellent food for
butterflies. Plan some larval food in or near your
garden.
Background by Jess, Web Page
Design Club
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