Tips for an at-home butterfly garden

July 27, 2008

There are several things to remember while planning a butterfly garden, says Bob Greene, curator of the Museum of Science's Butterfly Garden. * Curator from Concord covers finer points of luring butterflies
Your site needs a fresh-water source, a forested area, direct sunlight, and shelter from the elements. Select a variety of plants that bloom at different times. Create a mud puddle near the garden; butterflies rely on them for nutrients.
Home gardeners need two kinds of pesticide-free plants to attract butterflies: host plants, such as wild cherry and sassafras, and nectar plants, like buddleia. Greene buys plants from organic nurseries whenever possible to establish and maintain a healthy ecosystem. He avoids pesticides, and relies on a range of natural techniques, including aphid-consuming ladybugs, to fight off plant killers. If you're feeling adventurous, chop up bananas and oranges and set them out in your yard. Some butterflies love rotting fruit, but so do most insects.
STEPHANIE M. PETERS
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