Basic elements of butterfly gardening

There are several elements that are basic when planning your butterfly garden. First, butterflies really prefer sunny areas. They warm their wings in the sun and they flutter about, nectaring on flowers and some other surprising things that you may not have thought about. I try to choose plants that do well in the sun. Flowers that I have in my garden include butterfly bush, cosmos, Tithonia (Mexican sunflower), zinnias, verbena, lantana, daylilies, asters, milkweed and some others. These are all sun-loving plants that do well without much tending or watering. Of course, I try to keep up with the many weeds that appear, but usually by the end of summer, the weeds have won the battle.
Other things that some butterflies will seek is animal excrement and sap from trees. Rotting fruit attracts many species, also. I try to put out old bananas or any kind of fruit that has passed its peak. I put this fruit not so close to the house, as it will attract ants, flies and other animals.

Butterfly gardening

Butterfly gardening is a learned art, but it is not difficult. The secret to attracting many species to your yard and being able to watch the lifecycle is to plant "host" and "nectar" plants. Host plants are those which butterflies lay their eggs on and the caterpillars eat. Nectar plants are those which the butterflies use to derive energy.
The best, in my opinion, nectar plant is the butterfly bush, or buddleia. They come in many colors, are hardy and irresistible to butterflies. Here in VA, they bloom from June through September. I cut mine back to about 18 inches each March, since they bloom on new wood. Mine get to be about 6 feet tall. Keeping them deadheaded throughout the summer will keep them blooming and producing more flowers. In some places they are regarded as being invasive, but if I see one coming up where I don't want it, I merely dig it up and move it to another place. Buddleias do best in full sun, but don't require much care. I don't water mine and they seem to thrive, even with our hot and dry summers.

Butterfly farming is "green"

Raising butterflies is definitely a "green" thing to do. Those who raise and release butterflies are helping the environment. Next to bees, butterflies are very important pollinators. With all the focus on the mysterious illnesses that are contributing to the deaths of hives, we may want to consider and encourage the release of butterflies. Other pollinators include bats, hummingbirds, moths and other insects. Butterfly farming is the only industry that raises "livestock" solely for the purpose of letting it go free.

My favorite butterfly

My favorite butterfly is the Zebra Swallowtail. To me it is one of the most beautiful, etheral butterflies flying. I haven't been too successful in attracting them to my yard (yet), but I did see two different ones nectaring this year. I have a few small pawpaw trees in pots that I kept near my butterfly garden, but I didn't see any ZS eggs. I will order a few more pawpaws this coming spring in hopes of attracting them. Pawpaw leaves are the only plant that the caterpillars will eat. I've heard the pawpaw fruit is also very good.

More on butterflies

Butterflies are always on my mind. I raise about 8 different species during the spring, summer and fall months. Those species I've raised include monarchs, painted ladies, black swallowtails, giant swallowtails, variegated fritillaries, red admirals, spicebush swallowtails, and gulf fritillaries. I ship most of these species to other states or within my own state overnight. People release them as part of their special celebrations. Funerals, memorials, weddings, receptions, birthday parties, anniversaries are just some of the events where a butterfly release is appropriate.
I also teach butterfly gardening classes. I have a butterfly garden in my yard that attracts many different species. Right now, it's looking pretty sad since we've had several frosts already. I leave all the plants in place during the winter so the birds can forage on the seeds and berries.