Warm weather brings incredible insect activity. Armies of ants march to and fro around patio doors, Carpenter Bees drill holes in house siding, Cabbage White caterpillars devour newly planted broccoli. In the face of so much potential insect damage, it is important to remember that butterflies are also insects, which can be harmed by indiscriminate…
It is Spicebush season in the butterfly garden. In the spring, Northern Spicebush is one of the first native shrubs to bloom. The flowers of Northern Spicebush are numerous, pale yellow, lightly fragrant, and, under the right weather conditions, can bloom for up to two weeks. Fitting Northern Spicebush into a garden is easy. Shrubby…
Many trees and shrubs offer caterpillar food and are therefore important to include in a butterfly garden if you wish to help increase butterfly populations. Of course, trees and shrubs are not always the easiest plant to fit into a garden, yard, or balcony! Whether you are short on space or simply don’t have the…
Planting milkweed for Monarchs is one of the important first steps in starting a butterfly garden this spring. Once you have decided to plant milkweed, the next step is to choose which type of milkweed will be best for your site. Monarch Joint Venture has a brochure that details the milkweed species that are native to…
One of the earliest perennial plants to emerge in the spring in my NJ butterfly garden, Golden Alexander (Zizia aura) is becoming one of my favorite plants. Easily started from seed two years ago, Golden Alexander has multiplied (without any aggressive tendencies) and seems to be one of the very few plants that my neighborhood…
Does Butterfly Bush have a place in butterfly gardening? It depends. The topic has been widely debated. Depending who you ask, it is either the best thing since sliced bread or the plant that will destroy the entire ecosystem of North America. North American Butterfly Association publishes two magazines for its members: American Butterflies and…
Groups of plants have been selected and rated by NABA members as important native plants for butterfly gardening. Be sure to check NABA’s Regional Garden Guides to learn which plants are best suited for butterfly gardens in your area.
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