Spring has sprung, and it’s the perfect time to plant vibrant blooms that attract butterflies! Butterfly gardens can beautify the lawn while providing food and shelter for delicate species that are integral to our ecosystem. Follow these tips for a thriving butterfly garden to enjoy this spring:

Choose the right site

Plant your butterfly garden in an area that receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Try to plant the flowers in a southern- or western-facing site so the blooms can soak up intense rays of sunshine. Add compost to well-drained soil and till the dirt before planting to promote proper airflow.

Plant flowers that attract butterflies

Butterflies are attracted to colorful, fragrant blooms that provide plenty of sweet nectar. Echinacea, lantana, marigolds, black-eyed Susans, and cosmos are some of the butterfly’s favorite flowers to snack on. Follow the directions on each seed packet and allow eight to twelve weeks for the blooms and butterflies to make an appearance.

Include caterpillar food plants

Butterflies also lay their eggs on plants, so include vegetation that nourishes caterpillars before they transform into butterflies. Hibiscus, violets, and aster are fantastic energy sources for this species at every stage of its development from larva to butterfly.