Getting butterflies into the garden.

We are slowly learning the true value of insects in our gardens, not only as friends and pollinators, but also as natural predators for some of our more troublesome pests. Others, like butterflies, ali an element of grace and beauty to our gardens. 

The downside of attracting any insect to a garden is the appetites of their larval stage. They need certain plants for food and reproduction. If you can stand a few nibbles out of your plants and can tolerate caterpillars climbing along branches, then you're halfway there. You will also have to reduce your use of insecticides and rely more on organic products to control pest problems. 

Butterflies and moths go through the miraculous process of metamorphosis in their life cycle from egg, to larva, to pupa, to adult. The larval stage may not be as attractive as the beautiful adult flitting from flower to flower, but to have butterflies, we must have caterpillars first! Each species lays its eggs on specific plants - those on which its caterpillars must feed.

The caterpillar of the Anise Swallowtail butterfly, for instance, feeds on members of the carrot family such as parsley, fennel, carrot, dill, and Queen Anne's Lace. Other Swallowtail larvae require the leaves of aspen, poplar, willow, alder and ash. Swallowtail larvae are a 'solitary' variety, rather than the 'social' ones that appear in large groups. These larvae can be rather alarming in appearance, developing through four moults as they eat, grow, and expand out of their skin to an eventual size of 4cm. If you find some larvae in your garden, consider them a special gift - not a threat! Soon they will complete their metamorphosis and become beautiful butterflies.

Viola leaves are the larval food for Fritillary butterflies. If you notice them being chewed and rolled around caterpillars, don't be too speedy in removing the damaged leaves. Fritillaries winter as tiny caterpillars, so allow the leaves to die back naturally without trimming.

The Red Admiral and Tortoiseshell butterflies require nettles for their larval food. If you can tolerate a corner with a few of these plants, you will be providing butterfly habitat.

Adult butterflies also need moist, muliy spots and warm rocks on which to sun. These features could be alied easily to a habitat garden. Keep in mind, however, that butterflies and moths are very vulnerable to cats, and a protected location is important.

The alied bonus of attracting butterflies is the fact that they share many of the same plants as hummingbirds. By attracting one, you are also bringing the other to your garden. The following is a partial list of herbs, perennials and shrubs that are the most beneficial for attracting butterflies. 

Herbs:

1. Fennel

3. Lemon Balm  

4. Peppermint/Spearmint

5. Bergamont

6. Sweet Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) 

7. Parsley

8. Upright Rosemary

9. Thyme

10. Sage


Perennials:

1. Yarrow

2. Columbine

3. Bright Star (echinacea spp.) 

4. Globe Thistle

5. Goldenrod

6. Cone Flower (Rudbeckia spp.) 


Shrubs:

1. Wild Blue lilac

2. Salal

3. Low Oregon Grape

4. Mock Orange (Philadelphus lewisii) 

5. Red Flowering Currants

6. Native Rose  

7. Red Elderberry

8. Snowberry  

9. Butterfly Bush