Post-Gazette
A monarch butterfly lands on a butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii).
Many people make a habit of attracting wildlife, particularly birds, into their yards. We put out birdseed, grow berries and funnel sugar-water into fancy feeders to lure birds nearer to our homes. But did you know it is even easier to attract a different type of beautiful, winged creature into your garden?
More than 70 different types of butterflies call Western Pennsylvania home. Because butterflies prefer specific plants both for feeding and laying eggs, it is easy to attract them if you know what to plant. These are also the proper conditions for the types of plants that butterflies feed on (nectar plants) and lay their eggs on (host plants).
Butterflies need the sun for warmth, and they ike areas that are protected from rain and wind. Read through the list below, plant your favorites and sit back and enjoy the new, colorful guests of your garden.
Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
This 6- to 12-foot-tall bush will spread to 4 to 15 feet across, depending on the variety and the frequency of pruning. Hundreds of tiny flowers are grouped to form 3- to 5-inch cone-shaped blooms on the end of each thin, spiked branch, accentuating both the number of flowers and their beauty. The flowers range from various shades of purple and blue to white and red, and they will last all summer long.
Butterfly bushes are fairly drought-tolerant and prefers full sun. In addition to butterflies, this beautiful perennial will also draw other nectar-drinking insects to your garden.
Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)
Technically a short-lived perennial, the black-eyed Susan is usually grown as an annual, meaning it will complete its life cycle and die in one season. These familiar flowers attract butterflies with their beautiful, bright yellow petals and contrasting black, button-shaped centers. Plants grow about 12 to 36 inches tall and are robust and leafy. Black-eyed Susans will thrive in full to partial sun and will adapt to various soil conditions.
Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus)
The cheery, singular flowers on cosmos plants come in a range of hot colors, including red, orange and yellow. Cosmos provide quick splashes of color for your garden while drawing various butterflies as well. These annuals are a compact 2 feet tall by 6 inches wide, making them perfect, nectar-filled accents for your garden or yard.
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.)
Majestic monarch butterflies not only drink the nectar from various types of milkweed but also lay their eggs on it and eat it as caterpillars. This makes milkweed both a nectar plant and a host plant for the monarchs, as well as a very safe bet for attracting these orange-and-black beauties. Plant milkweed in full sun and well-drained soil. Enjoy clusters of pink, white, orange or purple blooms on this 2- to 5-foot-tall perennial.
These plants can be purchased at local nurseries or garden centers. Or, they will grow easily from seed and can be transplanted outdoors in late spring.
Never use insecticides if you want to attract butterflies, because they are likely to be harmed or killed by these chemicals. Instead, encourage beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, spiders and praying mantises, which will control pests such as aphids.
Finally, delight in the feeling you get from watching gorgeous butterflies drift from flower to flower, sipping nectar in the summer sun. You can take pride in the fact that you have helped the environment, too. Planting butterfly plants increases the diversity of flora and fauna in the area, helping to keep the delicate equation of life in balance.
Be sure to visit Phipps' Butterfly Forest now until mid-October. There you can see butterflies up close and watch as butterflies emerge from their chrysalis.
First Published: May 25, 2007, 10:00 p.m.
