It is important to know which adult butterflies are found in your area. In this way, I’ve been able to educate children, and help them see that nature is an essential part of life. By not requiring the use of harmful chemical applications, native habitats not only provide a safe haven for butterflies, but also for other creatures as well. Cynthia Domenghini holds a Ph.D. and bachelor's degree in horticulture, as well as a master's degree in teaching. Bees and butterflies play a very important role in a healthy ecosystem and allowing them some real estate in your yard will help ensure that they are thriving. by Hannah Atkinson, SCA Monarch Intern for Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife RefugePollinators across the country need your help! Creating a butterfly ecosystem within your garden as well as in parks and other … (I’ll cover this next week.) Photo by Tim Stanley/Native Beeology. Summer flowering plants are especially crucial, as this is when butterflies are most active. Shadow child Inara Morrissey learns that sometimes people do come back in the novel The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison. After you plant your butterfly garden, spread several inches of mulch over the soil to help suppress the growth of weeds and keep the soil moist longer during times of drought. A Hairstreak and a Yellow Swallowtail. Domenghini also served as an education specialist for the National Gardening Association. Another benefit of creating a pollinator garden is that it’s a fun family activity, and a great way to help kids see that they can truly make a difference for environment. We depend on what these pollinators do to help plants reproduce which helps strengthen ecosystems and maintain life sustaining biological diversity in nature. As a butterfly travels from one flower to another, it pollinates the plants, which results in further development of that plant species. Natives are better adapted to their climate, so they require fewer resources to be maintained and are hardier. Butterfly Garden Plants. by Hannah Atkinson, SCA Monarch Intern for Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. They work hard to pollinate many flowering plants because they carry pollen from plant to plant after drinking the flower’s nectar. Bee and butterfly population in decline It is pretty likely you have heard but the populations of a lot of common pollinators are in decline. Creating a butterfly garden should start with some serious research to learn which kinds of butterflies are native to your area. People think of feeding birds, hummingbirds and butterflies. This aesthetic draws human interest, which can result in a greater awareness of the environment and a better understanding of our role in preserving natural habitats. Butterflies are important pollinators to most agricultural crops. You can unsubscribe at any time. Photo by Tim Stanley/Native Beeology. A Crescent and a Frosted Elfin. There is increasing evidence that many pollinators are in decline. Bumblebees vs Honeybees: What’s the Difference, and Why Does it Matter? The butterfly is also used in early studies to show an insect’s body parts. Domestic honey bees alone pollinate approximately $19 billion worth of crops in the U.S. each year. Landscaping for butterfly garden It is important to have a good location for the butterfly garden, especially the open butterfly garden. The best location will be near a patch of forest, as the butterflies can be attracted to the garden by fulfilling the necessary requirements. Butterflies are attracted to brightly colored, fragrant flowers and feed on nectar produced by the flowers. Butterfly habitats provide intriguing natural settings through the colorful appeal of the flowers and insects. Great colors for any garden. A Silver Spotted Skipper and a Karner Blue. For optimal growth and butterfly attraction there are a few important requirements to keep in mind as you choose the location for your garden. The Butterfly Garden The first step in designing a butterfly garden is to take a survey of the butterflies in your area. A butterfly garden is an excellent addition to your yard if you are concerned about sustainability and your ecological footprint. So why should we care about this decline in pollinator populations? You can create your own backyard pollinator habitat! Your Butterfly Garden Needs a Water Source. Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bees. A well-planned butterfly garden becomes a small, but representative sample of the surrounding habitat and as such provides a safe haven for butterflies and other wildlife to gather, seek shelter, acquire food and water, reproduce and build populations; do not underestimate the importance of even a small garden. Plant a garden full of flowering perennials, shrubs, and trees that butterflies love. All Rights Reserved. Choosing the right plants requires a bit of research as it’s very important … Butterflies are beautiful and add a variety of outstanding colors to a garden. To learn more about Sedum, Check out our Sedum article in our articles archive. Let’s look at each factor in a little more depth: Full Sun – Butterflies thrive in the sun and the plants that attract them are typically plants that require lots of sunlight. Butterflies and other pollinators including bees, moths, birds, and bats pollinate over 75% of the world’s flowering plants. Your butterfly garden, of course, will attract more than just monarchs — there are nearly 300 butterfly species in Canada, and all play an important role as pollinators. Photo by Tim Stanley/Native Beeology. The Monarch butterfly and all butterflies have a purpose in our ecosystem. For example, keep the butterfly garden a safe space away from highly traveled walkways, doorways and so on. With the visual appeal of these showy insects, humans are drawn to increase their knowledge of butterflies, resulting in a greater understanding of our role in protecting them. Butterflies have four distinct life stages—egg, larva, chrysalis, and adult. North American Butterfly Association: Butterfly Garden and Habitat Program Writer Bio Cynthia Domenghini holds a Ph.D. and bachelor's degree in horticulture, as well as a master's degree in teaching. Weeding in gardens can be … Whether you live in a rural, suburban, or urban home you can help protect the environment and add beauty to your surroundings. Photo by, A Orange Sulphur Aster and A Monarch. Besides being important pollinators, butterflies impact the whole environment. A note about plants, insecticides, and butterflies: Many insecticides, even organic ones, will kill adult butterflies and/or caterpillars (baby butterflies), so avoid using them in your butterfly garden. When considering a location, you also want to look at the quality of the soil. NOTE: All citations in this Study Guide refer to the Kindle version of The Butterfly Garden, published by Thomas & Mercer, June 1, 2016. Butterfly Garden Necessities Plant native flowering plants - Because many butterflies and native flowering plants have co-evolved over time and depend on each other for survival and reproduction, it is particularly important to install native flowering plants local to your geographic area. SCA is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Because they are a common host to butterflies, native plant habitats are appealing to many homeowners.. Butterflies are extremely susceptible to pesticides and insecticides. When determining a location for your butterfly garden, sunlight is the key. Much of the lost habitat has been converted for agriculture, resource extraction, and urban development. There is increasing evidence that many pollinators are in decline. The hives are maintained by volunteers from Sustain Mizzou, an environmental student run non-profit group. They are attracted to bright colors and fragrant flowers; they feed on nectar produced by the flowers. Healthy populations of monarch butterflies and bees are a reflection of the health of the American landscape and the decline of these species is troubling. Just be especially sure to use plants that are native to your region in order to have the most effective and productive garden. Writer Hannah Atkinson (R) with a couple of her fellow SCA Monarch Interns. Butterflies are not only fun to watch but they serve a critical purpose as well. Although the larval caterpillar feeds on its host plant, this minimal damage is often worth the benefits that come from the adult butterfly. Color is important since butterflies are attracted first by color so a swath of bright orange butterfly weed or red salvia is easier for them to see.