Looking for a fun project for the kiddos (and grownups) this summer?
Planting a certified butterfly garden is a great learning experience, loads of fun and you can get a nifty certification sign to put in your garden!
It's super easy...you just need to plant the following and fill out the certification form at the North American Butterfly Association's web site : http://nababutterfly.com/
- At least three different native caterpillar food plants must be grown, preferably more than one plant of each selected species
- At least three different native butterfly nectar sources must be grown, preferably more than one plant of each selected species
There are so many wonderful plant choices! But here are some of my favorites :)
Caterpillar food (host) plants:
Dill & Fennel (Black Swallowtail Butterflies)
Holly hocks (Painted Lady Butterflies)
Milkweeds (Monarch Butterflies)
Passion Vines (Gulf & Variegated Fritillary Butterflies)
Butterfly nectar flowers:
Coneflowers (Echinacea) Probably my all time favorite :)
Lantana (lantana camara)
Milkweeds (Asclepias)
Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Sunflowers (Helianthus)
Butterfly Bush (buddleia davidii)
Happy Summer everyone!! :)