Create a Small-Scale Butterfly Garden

Easy steps for making your yard butterfly-friendly.
Colorful Butterfly Flowers

Backyard Butterfly Garden

Once you've installed your landscaping according to plan, have a little fun. Add a whimsical element, like a butterfly island, birdbath or sculpture. These details help make your landscape unique. "Don't be so formal that you forget to be creative," Maureen says. "Put your own personal touch in a spot you can see while you're having your morning coffee."

Who doesn’t love butterfly gardens? If the idea of bountiful flowers alive with the fluttering of colorful wings appeals to you – but you don’t have a lot of yard space to devote – you’re in luck: even small spaces can accommodate a butterfly garden.

Here’s what you’ll need to keep in mind as you plan your garden:

  • Size Matters: Many of the plants that attract butterflies require space to sprawl, so choose large pots, planters, or alternate containers.
  • Pick a Location: While butterflies are attracted to sunny areas, it’s also a good idea to situate the containers near a wall to block wind and provide the insects with shelter if needed. Keep in mind that the same plants that attract butterflies often attract bees and other stinging insects, so consider placing your butterfly garden away from play areas.
  • Butterfly Beverages: Butterflies aren’t able to drink from ponds or bird baths – they prefer shallow sources of water like puddles. So create your garden in an area where water collects after it rains, or create your own puddles around the garden to give your winged friends a place to sip.
  • Need Nectar: Butterflies love nectar-producing plants like sweetpea and marigold. Choose a diverse range of plants to attract different species, and be sure to include a few taller plants to provide additional protection from strong breezes. Which plants you choose may also depend on your region. Search the Internet for a local butterfly club to get more information on which butterflies frequent your area – and how to attract them.

Now that you’ve got what you need, it’s time to get started! Before long, your yard will be filled with a mosaic of wings.

Next Up

Learn About the Monarch Butterfly's Fall Migration

Make way for monarchs! This pretty, but threatened, butterflies migrate each fall to spend winter where frosts won’t find them. Discovered where you can experience this incredible, endangered annual migration.

Planting and Growing Milkweed

Welcome endangered monarchs and other beautiful butterflies to your yard with milkweed. We tell you how, when and where to grow different types of milkweed — including butterfly weed, common milkweed, swamp milkweed and showy milkweed — as well as where to get milkweed seeds.

How to Care for Butterfly Bush

The colorful flowering butterfly bush is easy to care for and a favorite of gardeners and butterflies alike.

Planting and Growing Joe Pye Weed

Forget the "weed" in this plant's name. Joe Pye weed is actually a wildflower that invites lots of lovely butterflies to your garden.

All About Square Foot Gardening

Learn the pros, cons and tips for exploring this beginner-friendly gardening method.

Planting and Growing Garden Phlox

Learn how to plant, grow and care for this perennial charmer in your garden.

Raised Bed Garden Design

Give your garden a lift with raised beds. Learn how to design and use these elevated growing areas.

Xeriscape Design Ideas

Dig into low water-use landscaping. This garden style is low-maintenance but big on beauty.

What to Plant in August

It's not too late to plant, even in late summer. You can still grow short-season veggies, herbs and flowers in August from seeds or transplants.

What Is an English Garden?

Learn the elements of enchanting English gardens, and discover ways to translate that style to your yard.

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