Butterfly Garden

By:

Timmerman Butterfly Garden...

Timmerman created a butterfly garden using similar guidelines below. We did have to make some adjustments due ot size, budget, and time. We were able to build a fence to protect our garden. Our fifth graders and essential needs class tends to the garden almost daily. Many classes observe and learn from the area in their science units. We found a rhinosaurus beetle in which we released after a field investigation study. Not only does this marvelous garden provide a habitat for beautiful butterflies, it fosters a minature ecosysem in which organisms work together while providing a hands-on exploration for our students!

Source for information below:

http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/schoolgardens/school_gardens/butterfly_garden.shtml#comp

Garden Design

1. Provide a combination of adult nectar sources and larval host plants: attracts maximum variety of butterfly species; encourages butterflies to remain in your yard, reproduce, and build populations instead of just passing through; allows gardener to appreciate all life  stages.
2. Incorporate native plants into the landscape whenever possible: most larval host plants are natives. They're adapted to the region, will produce a small but representative extension of the natural ecosystem, and can attract other wildlife.
3. Create horizontal and vertical heterogeneity:  choosing plants that have different heights and growth habits creates numerous microclimates which in turn appeal to a greater diversity of butterfly species; provides shelter; creates levels/strata of feeding opportunities.
4. Aim for a consistent host plant and floral venue throughout the growing season: choose plants that have different blooming times; ensures that garden remains attractive and productive as long as possible; provides food for butterflies during periods of low natural availability.
5. Provide a number of different flower colors: different butterfly species are attracted to different flower colors so include yellow, orange, white, and blue flowers as well as reds, pinks, and purples.
6. Provide a mix of flower shapes: the feeding behavior and proboscis length of a butterfly dictate which flowers will be visited: long-tubed flowers, for example are typically more accessible to species with long probosces whereas many composites (daisy-like flowers) provide a feeding platform and easy nectar accessibility for smaller species.
7. Plant in shade as well as full sun: appeals to more butterfly species; many forest species prefer shadier locations.
8. Plant in groupings: are aesthetically pleasing; provide masses of color; are more apparent in landscape; allow larvae to locate additional food resources in event of shortage.
9. Choose appropriate plants for each location: understand each plan's basic water, light, and soil requirements so it will perform and grow to its maximum potential.

Garden Maintenance

1. Give new plants a good start: water and mulch new plantings to insure firm establishment.
2. Fertilize: a regular fertilizing regiment will produce maximum growth and flower production.
3. Avoid pesticide application when possible: all butterfly life history stages are very sensitive to pesticides; avoid Bacillus thuringiensis; when pest problem arises treat it locally; use beneficial insects/natural enemies.
4. Learn to identify the butterfly species in your garden: provides greater enjoyment; allows for gardener to "plant" for particular local species.

Benefits of Butterfly Gardening

1. Attract wildlife: bring butterflies and other wildlife into your garden for purposes of enjoyment, observation, study, and photography.
2. Ecosystem/habitat conservation: a well-planned butterfly garden becomes a small, but representative sample of the surrounding habitat and as such provides a safe haven for butterflies and other wildlife to gather, seek shelter, acquire food and water, reproduce and build populations; do not underestimate the importance of even a small garden.
3. Practical benefits:
   • Use of native plants: hardy and drought-tolerant, disease/pest resistant, adapted to region so perform better under local conditions.
   • Food for natural enemies: healthy butterfly populations attract and sustain healthy populations of beneficial insects/organisms as well as provide food for birds, lizards, mammals, etc. which in turn help control garden pests; most butterfly nectar sources also attract beneficial insects.
   • Plant diversity: less susceptible to pests/individual plants less apparent in landscape; large number of microclimates provide home/shelter for other insects including beneficials.
4. Scientific: keeping detailed logs on the butterfly species encountered, times, abundance can provide important and useful information on butterfly population numbers nationwide.
5. Therapeutic: provide soothing retreat from every day life
   • Herbs: most herbs are also excellent butterfly attractants; useful culinary plants and provide wonderful aromatherapy.