Butterfly Garden
Last Wednesday for my Wordless Wednesday blog, I shared some photos I took of the different stages of the Monarch butterfly on my milkweed. It was amazing to watch a tiny egg transform into such a beautiful butterfly.
Last June I purchased four milkweed plants, the host plant for Monarch butterflies. There are many varieties and native milkweed to your area is recommended. I had Rich’s Memory Garden already going with a beautiful purple butterfly bush on the right side (all species of butterflies plus hummingbirds and bees love the butterfly bush flowers) so I decided to plant the milkweed on the left side.
Since I started with my four milkweed plants this past spring and saw how many butterflies were around I decide to work on designing a butterfly garden over the winter.
The three main butterflies in my area are the Swallowtails, Monarchs and Gulf Fritillary. Each species has their own host plant for their food source in the caterpillar stage. I plan to have three separate areas for them.
The Black Swallowtail caterpillars eat mostly the leaves of plants from the carrot family, celery, fennel, dill and Queen Anne’s lace. The Giant Swallowtail caterpillars go for citrus trees plus a native plant called hoptree. I will have to research this one and see if it is available in my area. But I will start with carrots, fennel and dill. Both the Pipevine Swallowtail (black and blue wings), mostly in the Cherokee NC area when I visit and the yellow Eastern Swallowtail, in my garden have landed on me numerous times.
These are two of the monarch butterflies I had to bring inside to feed the caterpillars because they ate all the milkweed. I feed the caterpillars sliced cucumbers before they went into the chrysalis stage. After the butterflies emerged it takes up to 24 hours for their wings to dry and be able to fly. I fed them sugar water and watermelon for a day and then released them. The male monarch has two dots on the bottom part of their wings, the female does not.
The Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed and there are a few different varieties but native milkweed is recommended. They chew the leaves and you can actual see the caterpillar grow while eating! Milkweed provides nutrients needed to survive and develop into a butterfly.
The Gulf Fritillary butterfly is sorta new to my area, at least to my yard it is and they are another one I want to have an area for them. I read up and they feed exclusively on Passion flower. They come in purple and yellow and are so beautiful! I definitely need to find a purple passion flower, also called a Maypop.
There are many more species of butterflies but these are the ones that I see in my area. Do you have any of these or any other species in your area?
This swallowtail butterfly visited me in September 2024, stayed with me for almost an hour and I know it was a visit from heaven.
It has been said that when a butterfly appears, an angel is near. It’s also been said when you see a butterfly, whisper a message and the butterfly will take it to your loved one in heaven. I’m looking forward to planning my butterfly garden!
Wow! What beautiful space and care you provide the caterpillars and butterflies! I didn’t know how to tell the difference between male and female Monarch butterflies! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for visiting Jennifer. There is so much more I still have to learn about to make their gardens. It will keep me busy over the winter!
Martha, what a beautiful project! 🦋 I
Your garden is truly becoming a little sanctuary for these gorgeous creatures, and you’re putting so much care into learning what each species needs. Watching that transformation from tiny egg to butterfly must be absolutely magical.
Yes it is magical Tamara! I’m excited to learn more about each species and get the correct plants for them.
Oh those beautiful butterflies! And how lovely that you’ve been able to set up an area in your backyard for them to come visit. Such a neat way to honor Rich.
Thanks Jeanine, every time I see a butterfly I know it’s Rich’s spirit. I’m looking forward to working on the garden plans over the winter.
I love your garden, Martha. I love the flowers, and of course, the butterflies. I’m amazed that you can even tell the difference between the male and female. I watched the video, and it’s so cool seeing a butterfly landed on your hand.
Thank you Danwil, I’m enjoying keeping Rich’s flowers growing. There is so much to learn about butterflies and I’ll be busy over the winter planning on their food source. Every time a butterfly lands on my it’s so special because I know it’s Rich’s spirit watching over me.
What a beautiful project! I love gardening and watching the butterflies visit my flowers. I’ve never seen a blue butterfly before, and the one in your photos is beautiful!
Gardening is one of my favorite things to do Lisa, I love working outdoors. I haven’t seen a blue butterfly in my yard but they are plentiful when I go to the NC mountains.
What a lovely project to work on! I think it would be fascinating to watch the different stages of a butterfly’s life up close, and I love that you’re planning your garden around the needs of each species. The story about the swallowtail visiting you makes it even more special. I hope your new butterfly garden brings you lots of visitors!
Thanks Barbara, I’m looking forward to working on my ideas over the winter. I love working outside and in the gardens so I’m excited.