 |
 |
Parks & Rec Business
| Fluttering Flowers The butterfly, one of nature’s most beloved creatures, is also one of the most threatened. By Sheryl Noble Dancing amidst the blossoms in their timeworn, intricate, aerial ballet, butterflies truly enjoy the nectar of life, stopping at each flower for a little sip and, in the process, passing along the pollen from their previous escapades. It’s one of nature’s beautiful balances – the dainty butterfly, the gentle breeze, the pollinated flower, all in complete harmony. Unfortunately, like a screeching amplifier or misplayed note, this harmony is in danger of coming undone. North America’s butterfly populations are dwindling in the face of expanding suburbia (and the resulting loss of natural habitat) and the increased use of pesticides (like those used to control the spread of the West Nile virus). Since nobody in his or her right mind would want to live in a world without butterflies, the obvious question is, “ What can you do?” Butterfly Gardens To The Rescue The answer is pretty simple – plant or grow some butterfly friendly shrubs and flowers. Well, it’s not quite that simple, but close. The first step is to talk with your naturalist (if you have one on staff) or talk with a local garden center and determine the make-up of your local butterfly population. (If neither of these sources pans out, you can hit the Internet or library or you can do what we do here and spend some time outside, observing the types of butterflies you see – this is the most fun, but probably least productive.) Once you know the types of butterflies you’re trying to attract (and any peculiarities they have – i.e., favorite nectar sources), you’re ready to design your butterfly garden – and start providing for your local population. Like humans, a butterfly’s basic needs are… basic. They need food, water and shelter. But, like humans, they also have some peculiarities. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 1. Butterflies are sun-lovers and actually need the warmth of the sun to fly. So, make sure your garden is located in a spot that receives at least six hours of full sun each day. 2. Protect your butterfly garden from strong winds, which make it difficult for butterflies to feed or lay eggs. Shrubbery, a woodpile or perhaps some strategically placed pieces of lattice will provide adequate windbreak. 3. Select nectar-rich plants to feed your butterflies. Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Weed, Purple Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, and Spike Gayfeather are just a few of the perennials that they find appealing. 4. Insure a consistent supply of blooms by including annuals such as Zinnias (a particular favorite), Marigolds and White Alyssum. 5. Use plants of varying heights, and group flowers of the same color together in clumps. Butterflies have keen eyesight and are attracted to bright colors, as well as fragrance. Growing Butterflies Do you want to do more than simply provide for the existing butterfly population? Do you want to actually grow butterflies? If so, you’ll have to also provide the following: Host Plants Host plants (Dill, Parsley, Fennel, Snapdragon) are plants on which female butterflies will lay their eggs and, eventually, the ones on which newborn caterpillars will feed. Since butterflies are picky about their host plants, make sure to plant a variety to encourage several species of butterflies to populate your outdoor nursery. Supplemental Nutrition Some butterflies supplement their nectar diet by enjoying overripe fruit (some species eat this exclusively), so don’t throw away those rotten peaches, pears, oranges or melon rinds. Instead, place them on the ground or in a saucer in your butterfly garden – just make sure to replace them if they become moldy. A Water Source And, provide a water source. Butterflies can’t drink from open water. They prefer to drink from mud puddles or wet sand. Designate a patch of garden dirt and keep it wet for this purpose, or take a saucer, such as that used under a flowerpot, fill it with sand and keep it moist at all times. Whatever you choose, you may very well get to see a butterfly behavior called “puddling” -- when young males gather at the local mud puddle to swap stories about girls. The males absorb salts and minerals from the mud or sand that assure they will have a strong future generation. If you want, you can enhance the nutritional content of the water by placing a small trace mineral salt brick near your puddle -- you can get one at a feed store. Or, you can use a rabbit mineral spool – available at most pet stores. Either way, the morning dew will leach the minerals out of the block and into your water puddle. An Ohio Case Study Does this seem too good to be true? Too easy to be effective? Dr. Joe Kieper, Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and butterfly enthusiast, recently used these techniques to revive the butterfly population on his six acres of land in Munson Township, Ohio. The property, a mix of mowed areas and old-field (agriculture), was allowed to revert to its natural state. To speed the process along, Kieper planted native trees, shrubs and plants, which could act as host plants for the local butterfly population. As Kieper is proud to report, the simple plan worked very well. As he says, “More and more species of butterflies are using our property every year.” But what if you don’t have acres and acres of land or open space to dedicate to butterfly conservation? No problem. Even a small garden patch, some pots on the recreation center patio, or window boxes on some of your municipal buildings can go a long way towards helping the local butterfly population survive and thrive. And, since butterflies are both beautiful and charismatic, you will be fulfilling your mission of providing a valuable public service. What citizen wouldn’t want to sit and watch the intricate, aerial ballet your little garden provides? Sheryl Noble is a freelance writer and passionate gardener living and working in Medina, Ohio. She can be reached via e-mail at Luvs2sing923@aol.com. |
All contents contained within this website may not be reproduced or disseminated without expressed written permission from the Publisher.