Butterfly House in the Flower Garden

Whenever you decide to look for a butterfly house for your flower garden, you first have to determine what it is you actually want. A search for butterfly houses will yield two different types. There is the type of butterfly house that contains butterflies and their nectar plants. These type of butterfly houses are actually structures created for the specific reason of providing a safe and enclosed space in which to study the butterflies.

It can vary from a playpen-size for individual study to a medium-sized net-drapped area to large green house-like structure for scientists' study. We even have large enclosures open for public viewing, education and delight. If you find this a delightful prospect to walk in a large "cage" with hundreds of butterflies surrounding you, consult your local museums and zoos for information. This being the information age, check online too.

As part of your children's, or your own, education, you may wish to raise some butterflies from caterpillar in a small butterfly house. Live butterfly kits are readily available and come with all you need to raise the caterpillar to a butterfly, usually a Painted Lady. Of course you may be able to collect the eggs from your own garden and raise them in your own home for your education and enjoyment. Please find a proper resource to guide you in this prospect if you should choose to do so.

You may also wish to create your own butterfly house of this type in your own flower garden. This can be done by means of mosquito netting drapped over an easily portable structure such as a light weight greenhouse structure or some type of tall stakes. Just surround whatever flowers are providing the nectar source at the present time. Don't forget the small puddles as water sources for the butterflies, too.

The second type of butterfly house is actually a hibernation box. It is usually a tall, 6 inch diameter box mounted on a post which is then set into your garden. The front of the box has half inch slots through which the butterflies can enter the house. The front also swings open to allow you to place some twigs or, preferably, some rough bark within the house. This allows the butterflies a good gripping surface.

Place the box near some host plants for the type of butterflies in your area. This will provide incentive for the butterflies to lay eggs on the host plants in your flower garden in the spring.

The top of the butterfly house may be opened so you may observe the hibernating butterflies and record the numbers and types of your hibernating guests. If you are very lucky, on a warm winter's day, one of your guest may actually step out of the butterfly house. If this occurs, sugar water or home-grown flowers may keep it occupied until the day starts to cool. At which time, the butterfly will make its way back into the butterfly house in your flower garden.

© 2005, Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Find more butterfly garden articles and gardening tips for Flower Garden Lovers at our informative website.



What You Should Know About Miniature Roses

Miniature roses are exactly what they sound like. They have... Read More

Want a Garden but Not Enough Room or Soil? Then Hydroponics Gardening could be for You

Hydroponics gardening is a great idea for anyone who wants... Read More

Hydroponics Gardening - An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners (Part 2) Plant Needs

THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.What Do Your Plants Need?All plants need... Read More

The Home Garden

The garden should be near the house and away from... Read More

Come With Me To The Casbah!

A ripe persimmon is a thing of beauty ? sweet,... Read More

Build A Simple Planter Box

Love flowers, but don't have the space -- or the... Read More

Dream Yard

Do you ever dream about what your yard could look... Read More

Are My Grapes Ready to Harvest?

This is the time of the year that I keep... Read More

With Outdoor Lighting You Can Enjoy Your Garden Into The Evening Hours

It is a beautiful evening and you are relaxing on... Read More

Gardening - An Expression

Give the same plants to several people, you will see... Read More

The Heralded Teak Furniture Manufacturer: Kingsley-Bate

With an average lifespan of 75 years, teak wood has... Read More

Orchid Care - What The Leaves Tell Us

Orchid Care Leaves Tell Us About Orchid HealthOver the past... Read More

Good Tools and Hard Work is What Creates EyeCatching and Functional Gardens

"Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade." -Rudyard... Read More

Simple Lawnmower Maintenance

Do you have trouble starting your lawnmower up in the... Read More

Growing Orchids as House Plants

One of the long standing myths that I still hear... Read More

Introduction to Aquaponics

Hydroponics and aquaponics are very similar in every way except... Read More

How to Grow Blueberries

Along with lip-smacking sweetness, flower and foliage are also worthy... Read More

Teak Furniture: The Premier Outdoor Furniture

When selecting furniture for their outdoor spaces, many people purchase... Read More

Lawn Edging

How do you make those flowers bloom where they are... Read More

Summer Lawn Care Tips

Summer is just around the corner, and your lawn could... Read More

The Incredible Daylily

Some people have referred to daylilies as the poor man's... Read More

How to Make Your Backyard a Wonderland Oasis

Home and garden accessories make the difference between house and... Read More

Viburnum

Viburnums are related to the honeysuckles, so it should come... Read More

Mint: The Herb of Hospitality

The Mentha species or mints as they are commonly called... Read More

Fall Flowering Bulbs

Deciduous trees dazzle us with the brilliance of the golds,... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: