The Butterfly Garden of My Dreams

I have loved butterflies for as long as I can remember. But being a city girl, my teeny tiny container garden attracted the occasional bee but rarely ever butterflies and nary a hummingbird. A somewhat unexpected move to the suburbs and municipal zoning requirements unexpectedly gave me the perfect opportunity for the butterfly garden of my dreams.

Unexpected Challenges Become Unexpected Opportunities

In the process of building our near house, we learned that we were required to build a massive rainwater detention pond in our backyard. Our initial reaction was disappointment. Can you blame us? Managing stormwater is important, and also who wants a massive hole in their backyard.

My husband was the one who came up with the idea. Instead of letting the detention pond destroy our backyard, why not make it a centerpiece. He suggested building a butterfly garden around the detention pond. All the way around the perimeter. And suddenly my dreams of just having a bed of milkweed and butterfly bushes turned into so much more.

Designing the Butterfly Garden Around the Pond

I did a lot of research around the types of plants I wanted - a combination of host plants to provide food for caterpillars as well as pollinator plants for nectar. If I have one regret, it is that I didn't think about plant size and height as much as I should have. Good thing my goal was not a manicured, formal garden, but something natural and inviting to pollinators.

We divided the space around the pond into three large planting beds. Each bed was carefully planned to include a variety of plants known to attract butterflies:

• Swamp Milkweed: Essential for monarch butterflies, milkweed serves as a host plant where monarchs lay their eggs. Note: if you live in the midwest like me stay away from Tropical Milkweed. It looks beautiful, but it's bloom time confuses monarchs when it comes to migratory patterns.

• Joe Pye Weed: This tall, flowering plant provides nectar for many butterfly species.

• Butterfly Weed: A bright orange plant that attracts butterflies and adds vibrant color.

• Butterfly Bushes: These bushes live up their name and are literal butterfly magnets.

• Bee Balm: Part of the mint family, the rabbits and deer generally give it wide berth. And contrary to its name, not only does it bring happy bees to the garden, butterflies and every hummingbird are attracted to it too!

• Paw Paw Trees: The only host plant of the zebra swallowtail (one of my favorites) and incidentally the state tree of Ohio

I should point out there are plants I have tried and failed at growing:

• Liatris: Also called blazing star, liatris has spiky purple flowers that butterflies love. This grows well at my mother's house. Sometimes there are so many monarchs on one spike that it literally bends over. Sadly, they just didn't take in my garden. I tried for two years. I blame the rabbits, and also I think the soil around the detention basin is just to moist

• Coneflowers: I rarely ever get to see them bloom. The local deer seem to think they are part of the buffet I am providing in my backyard.

• Turtlehead Plant: I planted them for the Baltimore Checkerspot. Sadly they usually end up going the way of my Coneflowers.

By mixing these plants, we ensured a continuous bloom throughout the growing season, providing food and shelter for butterflies from spring to fall.

Watching the Garden Come to Life

Within weeks, the garden began to change the look of the pond area. The green leaves and colorful flowers softened the edges of the detention pond, making it feel like part of the landscape rather than a separate, unattractive feature.

Butterflies started to arrive almost immediately. Monarchs were especially drawn to the milkweed, while swallowtails and painted ladies visited the butterfly bushes and liatris. The garden became a lively spot where we could observe nature up close.

The presence of butterflies also attracted other beneficial insects and birds, creating a small ecosystem. The garden not only improved the visual appeal but also supported local wildlife.

Tips for Creating Your Own Butterfly Garden

If you face a similar situation or simply want to attract butterflies to your yard, here are some practical tips based on our experience:

• Choose native plants: Native species are best adapted to your local climate and soil, and they support native butterfly populations.

• Include host plants: Butterflies need specific plants to lay their eggs. Milkweed is a classic example for monarchs.

• Provide nectar sources: A variety of flowering plants that bloom at different times ensures food throughout the season.

• Avoid pesticides: Chemicals can harm butterflies and other pollinators. Use natural pest control methods.

• Create shelter: Include shrubs or tall grasses where butterflies can rest and hide from predators.

• Water source: A shallow water source (i.e. detention pond) or damp soil can provide butterflies with the moisture they need.

  
  

The Unexpected Joy of Transformation

What started as a necessary but unwelcome addition to our backyard, turned into my most favorite place to spend time in the summers. It's an unexpected sanctuary where time slows and I can enjoy the small wonders of nature.