Butterfly Garden Installation & Maintenance
Commercial and residential butterfly gardens are a great option for those who like a more natural looking landscape. You can have all the beauty without all the up-keep. These types of gardens not only attract butterflies but hummingbirds and bees, too. Butterfly gardens at a home or office are a wonderful way to bring nature right up to your windows. At Evergreen Lawn Care, we use native and Florida-friendly host and nectar plants like Milkweed, Pentas, Salvia and Lantana.
Planting Butterfly Gardens for Your Home & Office
Butterfly gardens are most successful when they are composed of a variety of flowers and other elements to attract this gentle flyer. Not only will you want a wide range of plant species, but different shapes as well. One group of plants to consider are known as plant “pizzas” which are flowers that create a flat surface. Some butterflies prefer level surfaces they can easily land on. Long-tubed flowers allow for larger butterflies to insert their proboscis and composites for smaller butterflies. There are several other items to consider adding, including:
- Water source with fountain
- Plants to host larva
- Larger vegetation to protect fragile plants and wildlife
- Nectar sources for adult
- Bench to enjoy your garden
Creating Butterfly Gardens
Adding a butterfly garden to any home or business has many benefits. The most obvious of which is the beauty that these gardens provide. Your family or your customers can enjoy the beautiful flowers as well as the joy of frequently watching charming butterflies receive the nectar they need. When choosing the plants, you have the opportunity to select Florida native varieties. These plants will be easier to maintain and prevent the presence of invasive species.
Because butterflies are attracted to different plant species, a variety of plant types is necessary. This selection of plants adds both curb appeal and allure. Further, the assortment helps your property retain color and interest throughout multiple seasons. Your garden will be home for a variety of other wildlife that has the potential to benefit the property.
Milkweed
Milkweed plants are named because of the milky sap they produce. Be sure to keep children and animals away from this sap because it has the potential to irritate skin and is toxic upon consumption. The flowers tend to be yellow or orange and attract monarch and queen butterflies. If you choose to plant them, ensure they are completely in the sun and they prefer soil that is well-drained.
Lantana
Lantana has many bright colors such as purple, yellow, and orange. They are extremely low-maintenance and prefer a dry setting in direct sunlight. Lantana attracts many butterflies such as the Zebra Longwing. It produces dense groundcover but is highly invasive and requires regular trimming for growth control.
Salvia
Salvia is a perennial featuring small flowers with bright colors. It prefers sunlight and grows to a range of 1 foot to 3 feet. This plant requires the average amount of water and the soil must have excellent drainage. Salvia attracts butterflies such as Zebra longwings, Monarchs, Sulphurs, and Giant swallowtails.
Pentas
Pentas come in colors such as white, purple, red, and white. These flowers can grow up to 2 feet to 3 feet in height. They prefer full sun to partial shade and must receive an ample amount of water. Pentas can be grown in both containers and the ground.
