Butterflies add much to garden
Everyone loves to see wildlife, and what better place to watch insects, wild birds and mammals than in your own backyard. Regardless of the size of your property, if food is available, birds, insects and probably animals will visit.
That food could be birdseed and a colorful mix of flowers, along with water in a pond or birdbath.
Whether you've chosen to plant a cutting garden, a wildflower garden or are striving for a natural landscape, you're likely to be planting species that will attract winged visitors besides birds.
Butterfly gardens are perfect for a small or large space in the city or the country. This type of garden adds plenty of color and many species that will help keep the flowers blooming.
"Butterflies are beautiful, and they add movement to a garden," said Jill Barger of Mars, who became a master gardener in 2003. She created and designed the Mars Library butterfly garden.
"Also, in an urban/town setting, a butterfly garden attracts creatures to an area that is not prone to having nature, but only people at work.
"If you want to consider a butterfly garden off a deck or a corner of your yard, remember, sun or part sun is best," Barger said.
In the spring, before mulching the garden, she advises applying a 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer. She also recommends applying a 1- to 2- inch layer of well-shredded or fine hardwood mulch to the final garden arrangement.
Some favorite flowers to plant in a garden to attract butterflies include: butterfly bush (Buddleia), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium), coreopsis, zinnia, black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), phlox, purple coneflower (Echinacea), liatris, verbena, salvia and lantana. The butterflies also like lilies of all kinds, day lilies and hosta lilies.
Among trees, the Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a favorite for the butterflies.
Some species of butterflies to expect in this area are: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele), Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus), Clearwing Hummingbird Moth (Hemaris thysbe), Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), Monarch (Danaus plexippus), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia), Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), and the Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae).
Jennifer Frohnapfel is a Penn State master gardener of Butler County
