I have really been enjoying the (finally) warmer weather and getting out to work in my flower beds. I was so happy to see my hummingbirds are back and that got me to thinking about my flower garden. I really want to attract more butterflies. I read recently that Monarch butterflies may be put on the endangered species list soon. Now, I don’t know if this is really true but what a tragedy it would be to lose them. I have researched a few ways to attract and care for butterflies, I’m excited to give it a try.
Butterflies are drawn to colorful clustered blooms in red, yellow, orange, pink and purple. Some of their favorites are passion flower, hollyhocks, snapdragon, violets and chokecherry. I was surprised to see that they also like dill, fennel, yarrow, catnip, chives, willow and oak. They like to rest on warm, flat rocks in full sun and need little puddles for water and mineral. You can also supplement their diet with over ripe fruit set out in a flat dish in the shade. I’m sure other insects would like this too.
It was a treat to explore our local garden center to new plants for the butterflies. I am going to start by adding lavender to my flower garden and maybe a pot of catnip, Mama Kitty will like that! I will also add some chives to the vegetable garden. I’m excited to see if I get more butterflies to visit than I normally would!
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18
