Balcony Butterfly Gardens for Beginners

Colorful butterfly gardens attract native Lepidoptera. Pay just a little bit of attention to the types of plants you include in your landscape; you will be richly rewarded by the visits of these gorgeous insects. But what happens if you do not have a yard? Butterfly gardening on a balcony is not hard. In fact, it is so simple that it is a perfect family project including even the youngest kids. How can you get started on your butterfly-friendly balcony today?

Get to know local butterflies

Choosing the right butterfly garden flowers depends on the types of insects that are native to your area. For example, the North American Butterfly Association advises that in Los Angeles we are home to the monarch, sleepy orange, anise swallowtail and a host of other Lepidoptera. Remember that the types of flowers that appeal to these insects also attract bees; if you or the kids are allergic to stings, be extra careful when butterfly gardening.

Choosing butterfly garden plants

An abundance of flowers attracts the most variety of butterflies. Keep in mind that flowers for adult specimens may be different from those that feed caterpillars. Adult butterflies sip the nectar from the flowers; thus, copious blooming plants are a must.

Buy a few planters and keep those of a color together, which heightens the visual appeal to the butterflies. Caterpillars are a lot pickier. Monarchs need milkweed while swallowtails favor parsley.

Maintaining the appeal

Make the most of the plants' various growing seasons and the fact that container plants are supremely mobile. Lessingia filaginifolia blooms between June and December in full sun, while Passiflora caerulea only features summer flowers. If you have the space, consider adding a butterfly bush to your balcony. Responding extremely well to pruning, spring, summer and autumn feature copious flowers that attract not only butterflies but also humming birds.

Stagger plants by blooming period, to always provide ample nectar offerings for the butterflies. Make sure to have caterpillar-friendly plants around consistently. Keep ready-mix butterfly nectar as a backup. This is especially important if some plants die off quicker than anticipated or if others simply fail to thrive on your balcony.

Butterflies need sun and warmth

Did you know that butterflies are cold-blooded? This is one of the main reasons for their habit to seek out sunny spots. Offer a sunning area for the butterflies on the balcony. If the home's setting does not allow for natural sunlight, consider installing a heating lamp that mimics sunlight exposure. Maintain the warmth also for the caterpillars as they undergo their metamorphosis.

Source

North American Butterfly Association: "Suggestions for L.A. Butterfly Gardeners"

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