How to Help Butterflies
There are 7 basic things you can do to make your garden not only attractive to butterflies but to also assist with their survival.
Plant milkweed Without these hardy, low-maintenance plants, monarch butterflies cannot survive. The females lay their eggs on milkweed plants because it's the only plant their offspring—monarch caterpillars—can eat. We will have swamp milkweed for sale.
Choose native plants Native plants have adapted to the local climate and growing conditions to exist in harmony with wildlife and insects. Together they provide mutually-beneficial resources. Butterflies need a variety of native, flowering plants from spring to fall. This will provide food for the migrations passing through in the spring and fall as well as nourishment for any populations that remain in the area. Bright flower colors (reds, orange, purple) may attract butterflies, but it's the truly nectar-rich, native plants that will sustain them.
Provide sunny resting areas The goal is not just to attract butterflies but to provide an environment where they want to stay. In addition to providing flowering nectar plants, give the butterflies a place to sun themselves and relax. These cold-blooded creatures love nothing more than to rest on a flat stone that has been warmed in the afternoon sun.
Provide shelter from wind Strong winds make it very hard for butterflies to reach flowers. They are literally blown away. Surround your flower garden with wind breaks such as fences, shrubs, and trees—anything that can provide shelter from the wind without blocking the sunshine.
Provide water Butterflies drink water from natural sources like shallow puddles on the ground. If water is not readily available, consider keeping a very shallow dish of clean water near the nectar plants. The closer it mimics a puddle, the better. You can provide a “puddling area” for congregating butterflies via a shallow pan filled with moist coarse sand.
Garden organically There is no sense planting anything to attract butterflies or any wildlife when poisons (herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides) are present. Organic gardening practices (without the use of harmful agents) ensure healthy, thriving gardens that benefit the entire web of life including the butterflies.
Provide winter habitat Did you know dead trees are a life source for a majority of insects and animals? Don’t be so quick to remove old tree stumps and leaves; it is during the decomposition process that they give life to others, providing both food and shelter. Some butterflies spend the cold winter months nestled in old leaves, insulated from the cold until spring returns. Always leave some debris available for the wildlife in your garden.
Plant milkweed Without these hardy, low-maintenance plants, monarch butterflies cannot survive. The females lay their eggs on milkweed plants because it's the only plant their offspring—monarch caterpillars—can eat. We will have swamp milkweed for sale.
Choose native plants Native plants have adapted to the local climate and growing conditions to exist in harmony with wildlife and insects. Together they provide mutually-beneficial resources. Butterflies need a variety of native, flowering plants from spring to fall. This will provide food for the migrations passing through in the spring and fall as well as nourishment for any populations that remain in the area. Bright flower colors (reds, orange, purple) may attract butterflies, but it's the truly nectar-rich, native plants that will sustain them.
Provide sunny resting areas The goal is not just to attract butterflies but to provide an environment where they want to stay. In addition to providing flowering nectar plants, give the butterflies a place to sun themselves and relax. These cold-blooded creatures love nothing more than to rest on a flat stone that has been warmed in the afternoon sun.
Provide shelter from wind Strong winds make it very hard for butterflies to reach flowers. They are literally blown away. Surround your flower garden with wind breaks such as fences, shrubs, and trees—anything that can provide shelter from the wind without blocking the sunshine.
Provide water Butterflies drink water from natural sources like shallow puddles on the ground. If water is not readily available, consider keeping a very shallow dish of clean water near the nectar plants. The closer it mimics a puddle, the better. You can provide a “puddling area” for congregating butterflies via a shallow pan filled with moist coarse sand.
Garden organically There is no sense planting anything to attract butterflies or any wildlife when poisons (herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides) are present. Organic gardening practices (without the use of harmful agents) ensure healthy, thriving gardens that benefit the entire web of life including the butterflies.
Provide winter habitat Did you know dead trees are a life source for a majority of insects and animals? Don’t be so quick to remove old tree stumps and leaves; it is during the decomposition process that they give life to others, providing both food and shelter. Some butterflies spend the cold winter months nestled in old leaves, insulated from the cold until spring returns. Always leave some debris available for the wildlife in your garden.
Did you know that NJ has a state butterfly?
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Our state butterfly is the Black Swallowtail. The Black Swallowtail butterfly is one of the most familiar and most studied butterflies in North America, and is widely admired for its beauty; and is indigenous to New Jersey. It can be found in each of the State's 21 counties. The Black Swallowtail is a large, black butterfly with two rows of yellow spots near the margins of its forewings and hindwings, and more subtle red-orange and blue markings on its hindwings.
Learn more with these articles. Butterflies & moths of North America How a Hunterdon resident helped NJ name a state butterfly |
Black Swallowtail on purple coneflower
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