Suburban Gardener—

Butterfly Gardening

By Gerry McCabe

The popularity of butterfly and hummingbird gardens has expanded to limits unheard of five years ago. Having had the personal opportunity to construct such a garden with children at Howard Whittemore Children’s Library in Naugatuck has placed me closer to nature than I thought was possible. Much research went into the garden along with some sweat (digging, moving, mulching) and tears (some of the plants didn’t make it), but it was all worth it one hundred fold.

The simple reward of seeing a Monarch feeding on the Buddleia or a Swallowtail fluttering from the Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) to the Phlox then catching the wind and soaring away, only to return in an instant to begin the process all over again, makes me smile and be at peace. I will always remember the young boy who learned a new word the day we let our “home grown” Painted Lady butterflies free probiscus, which is the butterfly’s hollow, straw-like tongue that unfurls from a coiled position to sip the sweet nectar of the flower. He spoke with such diction unsurpassed in a young child, and I know he will pass on the newfound knowledge to friends and neighbors alike, sustaining the respect of nature in his every word. I was glad I was there.

In certain respects, butterfly and hummingbird gardens are almost interchangeable, for the same sweet nectar of the bright flowers attract both of them. Butterflies need their habitat built for them. What this means is most butterflies will stick around an area that provides its basic needs in life: larval plants for egg laying, nectar plants for food, plenty of sunshine pouring over rocks or grit to help warm their cold-blooded bodies, shallow water collecting areas for thirst, and a hedge shelter or block to hold down the prevailing winds which could injure their delicate wings. A compost pile in the immediate area would aid in attracting male butterflies.

The butterfly has specific goals in its life: to mate, lay eggs on proper larval host plants, and, unfortunately¸ to then die after just a few short weeks. An exception to this is the Monarch Butterfly, who migrates from Mexico to our area each summer and returns to the warmer climate in the fall.

Very few, if any, make it the whole trip. Most lay their eggs on their favorite host, milkweed (Asclepsias), and the newly emerged butterflies continue their journey.

The larva (caterpillar) and the butterfly have distinct food preferences and a successful butterfly garden will sport both plants. The caterpillar is an eating machine and will devour a plant in a short period of time. Therefore, we do need to sometimes make sacrifices.

Following is a list of specific butterflies and their “wants and needs.” Italicized are the larval plants for the caterpillar. Interplant both to keep the “Fluttering Flowers” returning to the garden.

Do not allow yourself — or your garden — to be overwhelmed. Start with just a few plants and butterflies.

Above all else, refrain from using any insecticides. Most are non-selective and will kill the good as well as the not so good.

Butterfly Nectar

 And Laval  Plants

1. Black Swallowtail: Phlox, Milkweed, parsley, carrot.

2. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail: Lilac, Butterfly bush, thistle, beebalm, honeysuckle, phlox, milkweed, hibiscus, sweet pepper bush.

3. Spicebush Swallowtail: Honeysuckle, thistle, milkweed, clover, Joe-Pye weed, Sweet                                Pepper bush.

4. Clouded Sulpher: Clover, goldenrod, dandelion, tithonia, milkweed, phlox.

5. Pearl Crescent: Aster, fleabane, thistle.

6. Great Spangled Fritillary: thistle, coneflower, Joe-Pye weed, ironweed, Black-Eyed Susan, dogsbane, loosestrife, milkweed, verbena, mountain laurel, beebalm, red clover, globe thistle, red valerian, catmint, scarlet sage.

7. American Lady: Thistle, Joe-Pye weed, liatris, aster, zinnia, tithonia, goldenrod, Butterfly bush, beebalm, sedum, privet, globe thistle, red valeran, anise hyssop, phlox, leadwort.

8. Viceroy: Goldenrod, Joe-Pye weed, thistle, milkweed, leadwort, catmint, phlox, catmint.

9. Monarch:  Milkweed, butterfly bush, aster, thistle, mistflower, goldenrod, tithonia, Joe-pye weed, gayfeather, cosmos, lantana, scarlet sage, lilac, mallow, mint, sedum, zinnia, sunflower.

10. Common Buckeye: Milkweed, aster, coreopsis, butterfly bush, mints, globe.

(When she isn’t tending to her garden at home, Gerry McCabe spends some of her time continuing her gardening education at Naugatuck Valley College in Waterbury. Gerry can be reached at TNGCATS@aol.com.)