A Colorful Spring Garden
It’s spring and butterflies are returning from their winter homes in Central and South America. There are over 160 species of butterflies that live in Georgia and almost any garden can lure 60 or more species in a year with the right plants and features. Host plants will provide a place for butterflies to lay eggs in the late summer or fall which will hatch the following spring as caterpillars. After a few weeks of feeding and growing, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis from which the adult butterfly emerges in one or two weeks. The adult butterfly will then look for nectar plants on which to feed. Butterflies are attracted by large areas of color, so nectar plants should be in large groups. Butterflies are cold blooded and fly when temperatures are above 60 degrees. Plant your garden in a warm, sunny area protected from the wind. Stones, bricks and patches of bare ground will serve as solar collectors and become a favorite basking spot. Use native plants in your butterfly garden and do not use harmful pesticides.
Viewer Tip: Before planting a garden become familiar with the species of butterflies you want to attract. Different butterflies are attracted to different host and nectar plants. Contact your local garden center and ask which native plants you should use.
Season: Spring
This information is provided by the Georgia Wildlife Federation. Learn more at www.gwf.org.
(Additional Sources: Georgia Wildlife Federation Web site: www.gwf.org/resources/wildlifehabitats/nativeplants.html; National Wildlife Federation fact sheet Backyard Butterflies www.nwf.org/backyard/butterflies.cfm)
