| Attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to the Garden |
From "First Time Gardener"
episode DFTG-105 |
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There are lots of pests that can attack your garden, but there are also some lovely creatures whose main function is to beautify the world. Wouldn't you love to have them visit your garden every day? Butterflies add beauty to garden (figure A), but they also signify a healthy garden: they are especially sensitive to chemicals, and the presence of a multitude of butterflies indicates that the garden is not inundated with chemicals. Here are some plants they love: Butterfly daisy (figure B), which is easy to grow in containers or in the ground. (Remember, any plant with a flat surface can make a good "landing pad" for butterflies.) Lantana (figure C) has rough leaves and a peculiar smell that attracts butterflies, as do its vibrant red, orange and yellow hues. Symphony daisy (figure D is another easy-to-grow variety that butterflies love. It looks like a strangely colored bee, but look a little more closely and you may find that you're watching a tiny hummingbird feed on your flowers (figure E). These insect-sized avians (figure F) are a treat to watch, and they can be attracted with the right plantings: Petunia (figure G) is a natural hummingbird feeder. It grows fast, and its trumpet-shaped blossoms (figure H) enable hummingbirds to get at the nectar with their long, needlelike beaks. Another plus: as the birds feed, they get pollen on their beaks; then, as they move around, they pollinate the flowers. Superbells (figure I), a petunia relative, bears more flowers than the petunia, so the birds will spend more time at the blossoms. Whatever you choose to plant in order to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, try hanging it outside your kitchen window so you can watch the little creatures enjoy their morning meal while you do the same.
RESOURCES :
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies
Model: 0394519140
Author: Robert Michael Pyle
Knopf, 1981
Stokes Butterfly Book
Model: 0316817805
Author: Donald and Lillian Stokes and Ernest Williams
October 1991
Little, Brown & Co.
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-227-0730
Fax: 800-286-9471
The Butterfly Web site
http://mgfx.com/butterfly
International Federation of Butterfly Enthusiasts
Web site: www.ifbe.org
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