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DIY Butterfly Garden: Create an Oasis in Your Yard With a Butterfly Garden by Elisa Schmitz

April 14, 2021

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The other day, this monarch butterfly landed in the palm of my hand. It literally took my breath away. The magic of that moment washed away all of my stress. Yes, peace can be elusive; we all need an oasis to escape to. Why not create a sanctuary with a butterfly garden, right in your own yard?

Butterflies are not only beautiful, but also help pollinate flowers. Get your kids to help create this peaceful place.

Here's what you should know:

Butterflies need plants where they can lay their eggs, and that provide food for caterpillars as well as for adult butterflies.

They prefer sunny spaces that provide a water source and shelter from wind.

Butterflies seek brightly colored (red, orange, purple) native plants.

Our butterfly garden is filled with a variety of tall perennials, such as ironweed (pictured), which blooms summer and fall.

Monarchs (pictured) especially need milkweed, but other good choices for attracting butterflies include butterfly bush, day lilies, sage, snapdragon, goldenrod, lavender, lilac and zinnia.

Enjoy the peace and beauty of your new garden sanctuary! Below are some resources to help.

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Related Products on Amazon We Think You May Like:

Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract & Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects $22

Hummingbird & Butterfly Combination Seed Mix $11

Ironweed Seeds $5.50

Audubon Classic Butterfly Feeder $15

Butterfly Nectar $10

Butterfly Garden Gift Set With Live Cup of Caterpillars $37

Donna John

We have a butterfly oasis on our backyard, @elisa. I love sitting outside watching them. Very peaceful and relaxing. I have milkweed, zinnias (one of my fave) and lavender. They also love my blue plumbago (my absolute favorite), lantana and bottlebrush. Loved the relaxing video you shared!

Like Reply 1 9 years ago

Thanks, Donna John! I had so much fun watching our butterflies the other day. I couldn't believe one actually landed in the palm of my hand! There is something so soothing and magical about butterflies. Their metamorphosis, their elegance. Everyone should have a butterfly garden to ease their stress!

Like Reply 9 years ago

I had well over 100 butterflies in my backyard this afternoon. Took a few videos of them during my "downtime." It was butterflypalooza! :-)

So cool, Donna John! They are truly special. Can't wait to see your videos!!

Meredith Schneider

So beautiful Elisa All 30SecondMom! Such a fun and educational idea to do with the kids. We have milkweed growing in our backyard and see lots of butterflies. Saw some this morning during the first mom taxi run to school. :)

I love that, Meredith Schneider! And I'll bet you get to see them longer than we do. I'm already sad knowing that the cold weather will banish our butterflies til next year. Enjoy them, chica!

Naimah Razak

This is so beautiful. Our local children's museum opened a butterfly garden and its a favorite! i never thought of creating our own, and its such an educational activity for the kids as well.

Yes, Naimah Razak! It's something fun and educational to do with your kids, that has an amazing end result you will enjoy for years. I hope you will try it!

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