How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden

Painted Lady Butterfly on New England Aster in butterfly garden designed by Landscape Architect Acorn Landscapes in St. Louis MO

Butterflies are a beautiful and beneficial addition to any garden, and there are several strategies you can use to encourage them to visit. Here are a few ideas:

1. Plant native flowering plants: Butterflies are attracted to a wide range of flowering plants, but they are especially drawn to native species. Planting native flowering plants such as milkweeds, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans can help to attract butterflies to your garden.
   

   Great Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele on zinnia in Manchester Mo – Acorn Landscape Architecture Butterfly Garden

2. Provide food for caterpillars: In addition to nectar from flowers, butterflies also need food for their caterpillars. Planting host plants, such as milkweeds for monarch butterflies or parsley for black swallowtails, can help to provide a food source for caterpillars and encourage butterflies to lay their eggs in your garden.
   

   Backyard landscape design by landscape architect Acorn Landscapes in St. Louis Missouri that includes hillside meadow garden and shade garden for wildlife habitat

3. Provide water: Butterflies need water to drink, and they are attracted to shallow, muddy puddles. Creating a butterfly puddling area by providing a shallow dish or tray filled with mud and water can help to attract butterflies to your garden.
   

   Black Swallowtail Papilio polyxenes with Mexican Sunflower in Acorn Landscapes Test Garden St. Louis Missouri

4. Create a butterfly habitat: Providing shelter and a place for butterflies to rest is important. Planting native shrubs and trees or installing a butterfly house can provide the necessary shelter and habitat for butterflies.
   

   A diverse mix of flowering plants used in place of traditional turf grass. Includes white clover, native bird’sfoot violet, common violet and wild strawberry.

5. Use chemical-free pesticides: Many pesticides can be harmful to butterflies, so it is important to use chemical-free alternatives if possible. Using natural pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects or using organic pest repellents, can help to protect butterflies and other pollinators.
   

   Buckeye Butterfly on Milkweed Flowers in Butterfly Garden Designed by Landscape Architect Mary Deweese from Acorn Landscapes in St. Louis MO

Overall, by providing food, water, shelter, and habitat, you can create a butterfly-friendly garden and encourage these beautiful insects to visit.