Easy DIY Butterfly Feeders – How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden
June 5, 2023
source: Shutterstock
Welcome to the wonderful world of butterflies! These captivating insects have long been admired for their beauty and grace, and they play a vital role as pollinators in our ecosystems. If you want to create a butterfly haven in your garden, look no further. We’ll explore some tips and tricks to attract more butterflies and make your garden a vibrant and magical place.
First things first, let’s talk about the importance of native flowers. Butterflies and plants have co-evolved over millions of years, establishing a unique relationship. By planting native flowers that are well-suited to your region, you provide butterflies with a familiar and inviting environment. It’s a win-win situation: plants rely on butterflies for cross-pollination, while butterflies depend on flower nectar as a vital food source. So, get ready to roll up your sleeves and start growing those native blooms!
Now, let’s consider the ideal habitat for butterflies. These sun-loving insects require warm temperatures to take flight, so choose a sunny spot in your garden that basks in full sun from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. That’s when butterflies are most active, fluttering around and spreading their magic. Remember, the temperature sweet spot for butterflies is between 60°F and 81°F, so make sure to create a warm and cozy atmosphere for your winged friends.
When it comes to choosing flowers, think like a butterfly. These little creatures are attracted to specific colors, shapes, and fragrances. While preferences may vary among species, most butterflies are drawn to blooms in shades of white, pink, purple, red, yellow, and orange. So, go wild with a vibrant color palette in your garden! Flowers with strong scents are particularly enticing to butterflies, as they signal a nectar-filled bonanza. Opt for large-petaled blooms, flat-topped umbels, and short and narrow tubular flowers. These are not only visually appealing but also provide an easy landing pad for butterflies to access the sweet nectar.
To keep the butterfly party going all season long, plan your garden to include a variety of perennials and annuals with different bloom times. By doing so, you ensure a continuous supply of nectar, catering to butterflies throughout their entire life cycle. Imagine the joy of seeing these delicate creatures flit and dance around your garden from early spring to late fall. To maximize the flower power, consider including long-flowering varieties like yarrow and black-eyed Susan. And don’t forget to do a little deadheading. It may sound grim, but removing spent flowers encourages a second wave of blooms, guaranteeing an ongoing butterfly extravaganza.
Butterflies need more than just nectar. If you want to attract a diverse range of species, you need to grow host plants that caterpillars can feed on. Butterflies are quite picky when it comes to laying their eggs. Monarch butterflies, for example, exclusively use milkweeds as host plants for their young. So, make your garden a smorgasbord of delights by planting a mix of asters, violets, columbines, sunflowers, coneflowers, and other caterpillar-friendly plants. These caterpillar host plants will not only attract more butterflies but also ensure that your garden is a nurturing habitat for every stage of their life cycle.
Now, let’s turn our attention to DIY butterfly feeders. These delightful creations provide an additional food source for butterflies, especially during the early stages of establishing a butterfly garden or when flower availability is limited. It’s like rolling out the red carpet and saying, “Welcome, butterflies, to the feast of your dreams!” Here are some creative ideas to get you started:
1. Copper Hook Butterfly Feeders: Get crafty with heavy gauge copper wire and twist it into hook shapes. Wind the hooks around a tree branch, spacing them about 6 inches apart. Hang large chunks of fruit like bananas, oranges, papayas, and mangoes. Voila! A fruity feast for butterflies and fruit-eating birds.
2. Glass Jar Butterfly Feeder: Recycle a glass jar into a sugar water dispenser for butterflies. Securely tie knots around the jar, make a hole in the lid, and hang it upside down to release the liquid slowly. Jazz it up with vibrant silk flowers and beads to catch the butterflies’ attention.
3. Plate Butterfly Feeder: Take a saucer or bowl, attach a string or cotton rope for hanging, and use a metal ring or plate mount. For an extra touch of charm, add some colorful decorative beads to the hanging string. Now you have a butterfly restaurant!
4. Terra Cotta Pot Butterfly Feeder: Turn an upside-down terra cotta pot into a butterfly feeder. Glue a wide saucer to the top, paint the pot in vibrant colors, and fill the saucer with sugar water, overripe fruit, or a combination of both. The pot becomes a whimsical restaurant that will make butterflies swoon.
5. Suet Cage Butterfly Feeder: Fill a suet cage feeder with sweet fruits that are about to spoil. Hang it in your garden, and watch as butterflies flock to the fruity bonanza. It’s a feast fit for royalty!
6. Sponge Butterfly Feeder: Get spongy! Soak colorful sponges in a thicker sugar syrup mixture made from boiling granulated sugar and water. Hang them from tree limbs or other visible spots, creating a vibrant and delicious buffet for butterflies to enjoy.
7. Butterfly Water Feeder: Butterflies also need a water source. Create a bird’s nest-inspired butterfly waterer using a grapevine wreath and a glass pie plate. Fill the plate with water and place river rocks or small stones to provide dry landing zones for butterflies. It’s like a mini oasis in your garden.
8. Butterfly Puddler: Let’s imitate natural puddlers. Take a dish with a lip, such as a clay saucer or metal lid. Fill it with landscape sand, add compost or garden soil to enrich it with minerals and salts, and saturate the mix with water. Place the puddler on the ground or on a pedestal, keeping it moist and occasionally replenishing the sand. This little paradise will have butterflies flocking in no time.
With these DIY butterfly feeders, you can add an extra touch of charm and functionality to your garden. Your winged visitors will appreciate the thoughtful gesture, and you’ll have even more opportunities to observe and enjoy their enchanting presence.
Attracting butterflies to your garden is an art and a labor of love. By growing native flowers, providing the right habitat, selecting the right colors and shapes, planning for continuous bloom, and incorporating host plants, you can transform your garden into a butterfly haven. And with the addition of DIY butterfly feeders, you’ll take your garden to the next level, ensuring that butterflies have a constant supply of nectar and other delights. So, grab your gardening gloves, unleash your creativity, and get ready for a butterfly adventure in your very own backyard. Happy gardening and happy butterfly watching!