Backyard butterflies attracted by a 2-ingredient delight: Easy recipe to follow
In the heart of spring and summer, there's nothing quite as enchanting as the sight of vibrant butterflies fluttering through a garden. If you're yearning to attract these delicate creatures to your own backyard, but worry that your garden might be too small, worry no more! With a few simple steps, you can create a homemade butterfly nectar that will draw these winged wonders to your doorstep.
Butterflies locate their food primarily by scent, rather than sight, so it's essential to place your homemade nectar close to scented flowers. To create the nectar, mix 1/4 cup of sugar with 2 cups of water, heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool for about 30 minutes.
Once cooled, pour the syrup onto a brightly colored sponge or cloth placed in a shallow dish, and position it near flowers. Using a colorful sponge or cloth can help butterflies locate the nectar more easily. To avoid ants, place the feeder elevated or use a butterfly feeder designed to deter pests, such as the Bird Choice Flutterby Butterfly Feeder, available on Amazon for $17.
For those with limited space, consider planting lavender or marjoram in containers. These fragrant plants are well-loved by butterflies and other pollinators. For Monarch butterflies, the only food they will eat is milkweed, so if you have space for this plant, it will be a welcome addition to your garden.
Even small gardens can attract a variety of butterflies if you include a few nectar plants. Not only will this simple homemade nectar provide butterflies with an energy-rich food source, especially when natural nectar is scarce, but it will also contribute to the health of your local ecosystem.
The Butterfly Conservation notes that butterflies will visit any garden, however small, if they can find suitable nectar plants. Spring flowers can help butterflies replenish their depleted reserves after hibernation, while fall flowers can help them build them back up before hibernation.
So, why not give it a try? With a little effort, you could soon be enjoying the spectacle of butterflies feasting in your garden. Happy gardening!
Nectar plants, such as lavender or marjoram, are ideal for small gardens to attract butterflies if space for milkweed is limited. Creating a homemade butterfly nectar using sugar and water can also be an effective way to draw these winged creatures into outdoor-living spaces, contributing to a vibrant home-and-garden lifestyle with the added benefit of supporting local ecosystems.
