Butterflies can make any garden and landscape more beautiful and vibrant. While many species frequent the greater Columbia, MO, area, they don’t always linger in your yard the way you’d like them to. Luckily, it’s possible to attract these beautiful creatures with little more than a few carefully planted flowers and blooms. Here’s what you need to know about turning your landscape into a butterfly garden.

A Landscape Guide to Butterfly Gardens

1. What Is a Butterfly Garden?

A butterfly garden is a carefully selected arrangement of plants designed to attract butterflies and other pollinators to the yard. These gardens are made up of brightly colored nectar-producing flowers like the black-eyed Susan, lavender, purple coneflowers, and butterfly bushes. The butterflies feed on the nectar produced by the flowers and spread pollen throughout every garden they visit. This helps plants regularly produce new blooms and fruit during the growing season.

2. Why Would You Want a Butterfly Garden?

Butterfly gardens add to your home’s landscape, bringing additional color and textures to the yard. This can add value to your home without increasing the amount of work the garden demands. Native plants, like those listed above, are especially hardy and easy to care for. As long as you water them regularly, you’ll have a thriving butterfly garden that attracts multiple species of butterflies, birds, bees, and other pollinators year after year. If you have kids, the garden is a great way to teach them responsibility and give them a sense of ownership in the yard. They can take care of the plants and enjoy the reward of watching butterflies day after day.

3. What Makes a Successful Butterfly Garden? 

Plant multiple varieties of flowers that will attract both mature butterflies and caterpillars as they build their cocoons. Milkweed and aster make ideal habitats for caterpillars. Since butterflies thrive in warm areas, keep at least a portion of the garden in direct sunlight and add a few light-colored rocks throughout the bed to give the butterflies a warm place to land. Finally, be careful when selecting flowers and consult with a landscaping contractor. Pesticides used on many commercially available plants can kill butterflies and other pollinators quickly. Your contractor can get multiple plants that are designated as safe for both butterflies and other pollinators.

Transform your landscape with a beautiful butterfly garden and enjoy watching these graceful creatures fly around your yard this summer. If you need help planning a garden or want an experienced team to guide you, contact The Gardener in Columbia, MO. They’ve been in business since 1990 and will build, plant, and set up your butterfly garden quickly. Learn more about their services online and call (573) 446-0802.