Attracting Butterflies

To attract butterflies, it is necessary to ensure they are attracted for every stage of their life, starting with the beginning as a caterpillars. Caterpillars feed on a limited variety of plants, leaves and trees. Interesting enough, butterfly caterpillars never cause leaf damage. This is caused by moth caterpillars.

It is important not to use insecticides that kill insects because these are lethal to butterflies while they are caterpillars.

Once the caterpillars become butterflies, they will be attracted to colors of red, yellow, orange, pink and purple. It's also important that the flowers have flat tops or flower clusters with short flower tubes. This is necessary for the butterflies to reach the nectar. Flower beds should include small flowers such as zinnias, marigolds, tithonia, buddleia, milkweeds and verbenas.

Ensure that the flower garden is planted in areas that receive sunlight, as butterflies generally do not feed on flowers in shaded areas.

Monarchs can live up to six months while most butterflies only live 10 to 20 days and some as little as three or four days. The adults will need to have a place to lay eggs such as food plants for the larva.

Some believe the butterflies represent new life; leaving the ugly and old ways behind and starting fresh. Others believe the butterfly represents re-birth such as Christians being born again, shedding the ugly sins and becoming beautiful in the light of God and given a second chance of life in God's wonderful grace. Whatever butterflies mean to you, they can be a beautiful addition to your garden.