I’m hanging a new Butterfly House today! Over the years, my backyard has become a haven for butterflies and hummingbirds and I love it. The old butterfly house was made of wood and I couldn’t see inside so I’m really excited about the new one which is made of cedar wood (which ages well) and glass giving me a view I’ve never had until this year. So exciting!
Do butterflies really use butterfly houses? Well, the answer is yes… and no. Some species of butterflies will use a butterfly house but most won’t. Most of the woodland species, such as Cloaks and common Wood Nymphs will because they spend winters in the protective cover of wood piles and tree cavities. A butterfly house is perfect for these butterflies! However, those butterflies that migrate south won’t stay to enjoy the free rent no matter how nice the digs. In either case, a butterfly house make a wonderful addition to your garden decor, a great home for your woodland butterflies, and they also make great conversation pieces!
Many gardeners who want to attract butterflies may not know what to do with their butterfly houses. Where to place them and what to put in them. How to make your butterfly house a home for the flying flowers. Here, we will talk about butterflies and how to use a butterfly house to attract butterflies and how to set one up.
If you are a do- it- yourselfer, Garden Gate magazine has some free plans for building your own butterfly house but if you are like me, you can find the one I bought in the links below.
Once you have a butterfly house you may be wondering what to do with it and what to put in it. I use a hanging butterfly house and use a short shepherds hook to place it just where I think it’s going to be the most visible but also keeping it well within the habitat. This is a good reason to use the hanging butterfly house on the shepherds hook method so that you have the ability to be able to move it as your plants grow and reserve your view. Place your hanging butterfly house or a pole mounted butterfly house in your butterfly habitat surrounded by all the things that butterflies love. A complete butterfly habitat needs two types of plants. “Host Plants” that caterpillars feed on, and “Nectar Plants” for the food source for adult butterflies.
I recently met the most wonderful woman. She called me about a Hummingbird item listed in my store and we ended up talking for a half hour. It was such a pleasure talking to you Ms. Wrene, I enjoyed every minute of it!
