Birds can’t resist this beautyberry!
Birds and butterflies are beautiful, majestic creatures. Hummingbirds and songbirds bring energy and life to any space, singing happy tunes or feeding baby birds in the nest. Butterflies are more delicate, fluttering about without a care in the world. Not to mention, if a butterfly lands on you, it’s good luck! Why wouldn’t you want to lure them into your garden? Here are some tips on how to do just that:
- Choose a sunny location. Butterflies and most butterfly-attracting plants require full sun.
- Select single rather than double flowers, because they are easier for butterflies and hummingbirds to get to.
Birds and butterflies love this coneflower!
- Plant nectar-producing flowers of bright colors. Butterflies prefer brightly-colored flowers. Clusters of short flat-topped flowers provide the ideal shapes for Butterflies to easily land and feed. And plant shrubs with berries for the birds.
- Use large splashes of color, grow your plants together. The groupings are easier for Butterflies to find than isolated plants.
- Plan for continuous flowering throughout the growing season. Butterflies are active from early spring like Azaleas, through summer like the butterfly bush, Buddleia, and well into late fall with Chrysanthemum.
- Include damp areas or shallow puddles in the garden. Butterflies need to drink and they also extract salts from moist soil. And birds like to bathe in pools, or you could always add a pretty bird bath!
- If you’re trying to attract Hummingbirds, a hummingbird feeder is a sure thing! And birds of all kinds will love this bird seed wreath!
- Place flat stones in the garden. Stones hold heat, and Butterflies like to bask in the sun.
- Do not use pesticides in or near your Garden. Pesticides are toxic to Butterflies and some birds. Instead use predatory insects like lady bugs or insecticidal soap.
