Butterflies are beautiful insects that are easily attracted to your yard with the right plants and flowers. If you want to know more about which plants and what colors can be used to get them interested and have them stick around, read on. There are a myriad of different types of butterflies in varied color and size. Did you know there are over 14,000 different types that we know about? There are Hesperiidae Butterflies, better known as skipper or darts which range from brightly colored to brown and are commonly mistaken for moths. Another common family is Papilionidae Butterflies which are better known as swallowtails. They are typically large and have extensions at the end of their wings that look like tails.

While there are feeders and such that can be used, perhaps the easiest and most common ways to lure butterflies to your property is to use specific flowering plants. While you might find there are plantings that can target specific species, there are also plants that can be used to attract butterflies in general. Adult butterflies can be attracted with colorful flowers such as red, purple and yellow. Some of the most common flowers that work well are butterfly weed and milkweed. These plants grow in many different climates and are often used to attract butterflies to your yard.

Since butterfly species are native to certain areas of the country it can make sense to first find out which species can be found near you. You can then use this information to figure out how to best attract them and get them to stay. Keeping them on your property requires host plants for their young. Some swallowtails, for example, are attracted to such things as dill, fennel and Queen Anne’s lace. Other species, like skippers can be lured with sedges and purple grasses. With each species having specific interests it makes sense to do some research first on which types of butterflies are in your area and what you can use to best attract them.

Sunlight is also crucial to attracting butterflies since they feed on nectar in the full sun. Also, many of the plants required to attract them will also require full or partial sun to flower properly. Try to plant in a sunny part of your yard that at least gets sun during the morning and early afternoon hours. You should also avoid the use of pesticides on your newly planted garden as these can easily kill not only the butterflies, but any caterpillars that consume plant matter.

A butterfly garden can be a fun and rewarding project. If researched and executed properly, you can bring these winged creatures to your yard year after year. Do your homework and find out exactly which plants are best suited for your area and how to care for them. Try and pick perennials that will come back every year to reduce maintenance. Not only can you create a beautiful garden area for yourself but attract and feed a wide variety of insect wildlife.

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