Contrary to what most people believe, butterflies like all colors of flowers even white so plant a mixture. Keep them focused to your yard by making your plantings front, back and sides.
A few of these plants to consider are Mexican Milkweed, Firecracker Plant, Red or Purple Firespike, Gaillardia, Azaleas, Firebush, Lantana, Ixora, Daylily, Bougainvillea, Dutchman?s Pipe, Cat?s Whisker, plumbago, Black-eyed Susan, Cassia and Mexican Sage. Always include nectar rich flowers like Pentas, salvias and asters.
Here?s some helpful hints to make your butterfly garden successful:
- First of all you must be patient. They will come but maybe not immediately.
- Make sure your garden is in the sun but near an area with shrubbery or trees as this will provide escape areas for your butterflies when predators lurk.
- Use many colors in your butterfly garden. The more color the more different types of butterflies you could attract.
Don?t use pesticides in the area of your butterfly garden.....it will kill what you?re trying hard to attract. Just remember.....beautiful butterflies start off as caterpillars......so you will have to put up with a few of them to have a successful butterfly garden.
In Florida we are very lucky to be able to enjoy so many different types of butterflies here year round so why not entice them to visit and perhaps live in your yard.