Homeowners interested in attracting butterflies to their yard should plan to provide the food, shelter and liquids that they need to survive.
“Different species of butterflies prefer different plants,” said Ward Upham, a horticulture specialist for K-State Research and Extension. “Using a variety of plants that vary in blooming times of day and year will help attract a diverse group of visitors.”
Upham suggests planting perennials and shrubs that bloom early, mid- and late-summer, including:
Early season – allium, chives, forget-me-not, lilac
Mid-season – Bee balm, butterfly bush, black-eyed Susan, buttonbush, butterfly weed, daisy, daylily, gaillardia, lavender, lily, mint, phlox, privet, sunflower, veronica
Late-season – Aster, glossy abelia, sedum.
Butterflies are cold-blooded and like open areas where they can sun themselves on cool days, and shade themselves on hot days.
They also need water. Upham said a simple way to make a butterfly pool is to take a bucket filled with gravel and bury it to them rim. Then, add water, sugar water or sweet drinks so that butterflies can land on the gravel but still reach the liquid.