Check out our list of good nectar sources and larval plants . Choosing the Right Spot A butterfly garden can range from a large plot of land, to a 5'x10' strip near a walkway to a window box or a container garden. Since butterflies tend to be more active in the sun, large open sunny areas are an important factor for the garden. Some protection from the wind is also necessary, and this can be provided by planting shrubby nectar and food plants like Buddleia, Honeysuckle, Spice Bush and Hawthorn. A small fence, a row of shrubs, evergreen trees or even a large rock can serve as a shelter from the wind.
Rocks also provide a site where butterflies can bask to store body heat from the sun.
A Raised-bed Butterfly Garden A raised bed butterfly garden is simply a raised area of soil framed by boards, logs, railroad ties, stones, rocks, bricks or any other material you have on hand. If you try this popular technique for growing plants, you'll find it uses less space, requires less fertilizer and water, and helps eliminate soil problems. It's fun to choose the location, design your layout, and decide what materials you want to use. Although your butterfly garden can be any size, the bed width should be narrow so you can easily reach all areas. Use a shovel to cut through the grass around the perimeter of your future garden, then remove all the grass and weeds from the area.