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BUTTERFLY GARDEN

What makes a garden a butterfly garden?

Did you know that over 100 butterfly species (including skippers) have been recorded in Iowa? These winged beauties are considered to be the world’s most beloved insects. With most species considered migratory or mobile, growing plants to meet their needs as they move around and reproduce is increasingly important. Nearly all species of butterflies are experiencing a decline in habitat and populations, so it is up to us to help!

One of the most important considerations when planting a butterfly garden is plant selection. Plants should provide abundant nectar. Butterflies are particularly attracted to plants that have many small flowers close together. This helps them conserve energy by walking over the blooms rather than having to fly between flowers. Examples of these flower types (inflorescence) include composites, panicles, spikes, and umbels. Luckily, many of the plants with these flower types happen to also be beautiful! Another factor to consider about plant selection is host plants. A host plant is a plant species that a caterpillar eats in order to grow and eventually metamorphosize into a butterfly. Depending on the butterfly, the range of host plant species can be broad even including multiple plant families or sometimes specific to even just a single plant species. If you want to observe any specific butterflies, planting their host plant can help attract them to your garden. Multiple plants of your chosen species should be planted, this increases their chances of attracting butterflies, increases the number of caterpillars the garden can support, and makes sure you don’t lose plants to too many greedy caterpillars.

While individual plant selection is important, how the garden is designed is equally important. A butterfly garden is a habitat, so a diversity of plants can influence the ecological effectiveness of the garden. One reason for this is that caterpillars often leave the host plant to pupate (form a chrysalis). This makes the metamorphosing butterfly harder to find by predators and parasites. They are also less likely to be consumed by hungry siblings. Another reason is that a female butterfly is much more likely to stick around to lay eggs in a garden full of nectar rather than just a few host plants by themselves. Different plant architectures give butterflies places to shelter from wind and rain, a place to roost at night, and places to warm and dry their wings in the morning. Some butterflies are even territorial! Territorial species prefer gardens with tall plants for them to perch and have a lookout for potential mates or competition. If you have ever seen two butterflies engaging in what is called a ‘spiral fight,’ they are likely battling for territory through a complex dance. Finally, providing a still water source can also increase the attractiveness of the garden. Butterflies need water and water soluble minerals to survive, often visiting bird baths, puddles, or the edges of water features.

A good butterfly garden has a diversity of plant species with host plants and nectar sources. Different plant architecture and life history types also contribute to the ecological effectiveness of the garden.

Plant Selection

For host plant selection, the most important plant families (host the greatest number of caterpillars) often happen to be the most abundant naturally. Found in prairies, woodlands, roadsides, and pasture, the most numerus plants often boast the largest number of caterpillar species. This garden focuses plant selection on this host plant potential as well as nectar abundance. The following plant families have the greatest potential for reproductive success when planted in butterfly gardens. This is certainly not an exhaustive list, and does fail to account for individual plant species/families that are hosts for species-specific butterflies.

Herbaceous plant families:
Apiaceae (Carrot Family)– Golden Alexanders, angelicas, rattlesnake master, hemlock
Apocynaceae (Milkweed Family)– Milkweeds, dogbanes, bluestars
Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) – Coneflowers, sunflowers, black-eyed-susans, asters, goldenrods, sages, yarrows, blazing stars, pussytoes, snakeroot, tickseeds, cup plant/compass plant
Fabaceae (Pea Family)– False-indigos, partridge pea, leadplants, clovers, senna, bundleflower
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)– Bee-balm, mountain mint, self-heal, hyssop
Poaceae (Grass Family)– Bluestems, dropseeds, switchgrasses, fescues, Indiangrass
Rosaceae (Rose Family)– Strawberry, avens, cinquefoil
Violaceae (Violet Family)- Violets

Woody plant families:
Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)- Sumacs, poison ivy
Betulaceae (Birch Family)- Alders, birches, hazels, hornbeams
Cannabaceae (Hemp Family)- Hackberry, hops
Fabaceae (Pea Family)- Honeylocust, Kentucky coffee tree, black locust, redbud, wisteria
Fagaceae (Beech Family)- Beech, oaks, chestnuts
Rosaceae (Rose Family)- Hawthorne, apple, plums, cherry, brambles
Salicaceae (Willow Family)- Willows, cottonwood, aspens, poplars

Also important, but host fewer caterpillars:
Adoxaceae (Moschatel Family), Annonaceae (Custard Apple Family), Cornaceae (Dogwood Family), Cupressaceae (Cypress Family), Cyperaceae (Sedge Family), Malvaceae (Mallow Family), Portulacaceae (Purslane Family), Rutaceae (Citrus Family), Ulmaceae (Elm Family), Urticaceae (Nettle Family), and many more!

History

The Butterfly Garden was established in 1991 as a project of the Story County Master Gardeners. Gary Prochaska of Ames was particularly involved with its development. The garden has since been adopted by Boone County Master Gardeners and managed in large part by Greg Anderson. The Butterfly Garden is situated next to the pond containing a fountain, gift of Virginia Denison in memory of her husband who was one of the founders of the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens. This is a lovely and secluded space at the Arboretum where you can relax on a garden bench and listen to the sound of the fountain while watching for butterflies.

Click the image below for a gallery of photographs from the garden:

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