plant a butterfly garden

I had big plans to take out a huge swath of grass and plant a butterfly garden there. Unfortunately, that just wasn’t possible. Way too much work was involved and I wasn’t up for the task.

However, I did plant a bunch of butterfly (and bird) friendly plants throughout my existing beds. Probably 30 plants in all, and I think that’s JUST FINE!! It wasn’t what I’d initially planned, but I’m quite sure the butterflies don’t care, as long as they have a food source. :o)

I have plans to do this already. I’ve measured out the spot in my backyard, and I’ve researched some of the plants I’ll do. Next spring is when this goes down!

but it only has two plants so far. Does that count? :)

On August 4th, I’m taking my daughters (who, as small as they are, are a little obsessed with butterflies!) to a plant nursery where they’re having all sorts of exhibits on butterfly gardens! And at noon they’re having a butterfly release…should be interesting!

I want to do this sooooo badly, but I rent. Maybe I can plant a container butterfly garden? :)

My butterfly garden is a huge time-suck! I could spend hours out there – and have. I love it.

Today I went hiking with a friend of mine and it was the most wonderful hike ever! In Malibu, off of Corral Canyon, a mile in from the beach is a hiking area called Solstice. Solstice Canyon There was cottages there that burned down in 1982, so the place has this real surreal feeling to it. There are waterfalls there and pools deep enuf to swim in. I didn’t have the clothes and what not to go swimming but it was amazing!! Anyway, while we were there I saw these periwinkle blue butterflies, and when they closed their wings they became white!! There were also Monarchs there and Tiger Swallowtail butterflies… I told my husband this and he had the brilliant idea of adding on a terrarium the size of a bedroom. It would be filled with tropical vegitation, be climate regulated and then I would put butterflies in there. Build a piece of the outside onto the inside! A sanctuary of sorts! Butterflies are so peaceful!

I know exactly where I am going to plant my butterfly garden, but most of my property will be devoted to wildlife habitat. Unfortunately I won’t get much planting done because by the time I come back from my honeymoon and move into my house permanently it will be the end of July, but I’ve been planning everything out on paper and discussing ideas with my fiance. We already have tons of Tiger Swallowtail butterflies – I just want to make sure they have a place to drink, eat and sun.

we planted some marigolds 2 years ago, and, as any keen gardener knows, once you plant one marigold, you have marigolds for life. butterflies love marigolds.

we also have some lavenders and rosemary in the garden, which the butterflies seem to love as well.

for the past week, the white butterflies have migrating, and we have had thousands migrate through our garden. it was beautiful.

But I don’t have a garden, or the ability to keep plants alive for longer than six months. Maybe this should be a long term goal.