Butterfly Garden Dreams & Plans

A butterfly garden has always been a fun idea. In fact, there is my dream all packed up in the back seat of my car, pictured above. I used to live in a townhouse in the city and loved the low maintenance HOA living but eventually grew tired of the extra fees and not having control over my yard. I decided I wanted a house with a yard and a garage. So, I moved.

A fixer upper farmhouse is what was looking for in my house search but reality set in. Who exactly was going to maintain the land? And do ALL the house projects?? No, just not possible for just me. So I ended up finding a space in a smaller country town with a garage and decent sized yard with no landscaping started and space to dream.

I started researching and the sustainability spirit in me was only committing to native plants and trees. My goal is for my corner of the world to be a Certified Natural Wildlife Habitat that incorporates urban forestry. And by wildlife, I mean insects, birds, bees, etc. I am still very much in town and this is all the more reason to support my local ecosystems despite new development. Here is the checklist if you are looking to be certified too.

Starting with my butterfly garden is something that allowed me to start small in my habitat & forestry plans. While bringing me the most joy and instant beauty. I encourage you to do this in your yard and will share some tips and tricks.

Butterfly Garden Tips

1. Determine the space and the amount of room you have to work with. Also, make note of how much light and shade this area gets.
2. Look up what zone you are in so you know what is native to your area and what plants are best. Click here to find zone.
3. Look up native plants that attract butterflies in your area. Click here to start.
4. If there is a certain butterfly you want to attract, make sure you plan for the plants they feed on and harvest eggs on.
5. Start planning. Search online and ask your favorite nursery for advice. Sometimes they have a list of plants for your zone that is ready for you to shop from.

I am in Southeast Michigan about 40 miles north of Detroit, which puts me in Zone 6b. I have a fairly small yard so the area I put my garden in is around my deck. My thought is, what a great space to enjoy butterflies and bees around me while keeping them busy so they don’t bother me! Fingers crossed. I have gone one season and loved my garden, so I am sharing my plans and plants with you. I hope to inspire you to consider this type of garden too. It’s honestly the best time to plan for something like this!

I wanted to attract Monarchs, so this list shares specific plants that attract this spices. These pictures show my humble beginnings. So much is happening with my yard this year so will keep you updated on the progress.

Butterfly Garden Plant List

I’m linking these plants to my local nursery’s website so you can learn more about them. Check your local nurseries too as they might have plant libraries to browse as well. Click here for plant library.

• Lavender (not shown)
• Sedum – I have Autumn Fire and Candy Series. LOVE this plant!! I’m planting more in my front yard this summer.
• Bee Balm
• Salvia
• Swamp Milkweed
• Yarrow
• Butterfly Weed
• Phlox
• Coneflower
• Yarrow, Peter Cottontail
• Astilbe

There are a few plants that seem to be gone from last year and that is the Milkweed. This can happen so I will go purchase new plants to replace the one I must have accidentally removed when cleaning my garden or just didn’t make it. The other one I might have pruned wrong or it is not blooming yet, I will have to monitor. But hopefully re-planting them now will allow them more time to develop and make it through next winter.

Next, I will be working on my salsa garden and cut flower bed. I found 2 awesome homemade raised flower beds to put on my deck and plant in. I already have herb pots all over my deck so adding these veggies will allow me to plant my own veggies and be more sustainable. More to come.

Happy gardening!

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