 There are five basic things to remember when planning
a butterfly garden:
1. Butterflies love sunlight! Whether you
choose to plant a traditional garden or a container
garden, make sure that the plants are in direct sunlight
for much of the day.
2. Butterflies like to "puddle." Your
garden needs a sort of watering hole for the butterflies
to drink from. This can be done by simply filling
a terra cotta pot or small plastic bucket with small
rocks or pebbles about two inches from the brim. Add
water to fill the remaining space. Place the puddle
in the center of your garden.
 3.
Butterflies like lots of color! Group clusters
of the same plant together to make them easier for
butterflies to see. A group of colorful flowers attracts
them easier than single flowers.
4. Butterflies love to eat nectar. Use several
of these nectar-producing plants to attract them:
milkweed, azalea, goldenrod, black-eyed susan, zinnia,
aster, phlox, Japanese honeysuckle, ironweed. A few
nectar-producing shrubs are: butterfly bush, various
fruit trees, privet, lilac and redbud.
 5.
Butterflies need a place to lay their eggs. Witness
the entire lifecycle of your new garden friend! Provide
host plants where female butterflies can lay their
eggs. Some host plants include: snapdragon, violets,
milkweed, daisies, parsley, dill, Queen Anne's Lace,
aster and clovers.
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