Butterflies and hummingbirds are some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures that visit our gardens. By understanding their habitat requirements and preferences, we can design gardens that will attract and support these lovely pollinators. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know to create your own butterfly and hummingbird haven.
What plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds?
The key to attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden is providing the plants they rely on for food and shelter. Here are some of the top plants to include:
- Native wildflowers – Native species like coneflowers, asters, and black-eyed susans provide the nectar that butterflies and hummingbirds feed on. They have also evolved together so their needs are well-matched.
- Brightly colored tubular flowers – Butterflies are attracted to red, orange, pink and purple blooms like lantana, zinnias, and penstemon. Hummingbirds prefer red and orange tubular flowers where they can access nectar with their long beaks.
- Fruit and berry producing shrubs – Include plants like butterfly bushes, honeysuckle, fuchsia and weigela. The fruits are eaten by butterflies for their sugar content.
- Salvia – This popular garden flower is a favorite of both hummingbirds and butterflies. The tubular blossoms give hummingbirds easy access to nectar.
- Trees – Host trees like willow, poplar and birch provide leaves that caterpillars feed on. Hummingbirds often nest in trees.
When is the best time to plant a butterfly and hummingbird garden?
Spring and fall are ideal times for planting a garden to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Here’s why:
- Spring – Many butterflies and hummingbirds migrate and will start returning to northern climates in early spring. Having flowers blooming when they return gives them an immediate food source.
- Fall – Planting in early fall allows plants time to establish roots before winter dormancy. The garden will be ready to bloom the following spring.
- Avoid summer – Heat and drought stressed plants have lower nectar production. Wait until the weather cools to plant.
If planting an annual flower bed, early spring is best. For perennials, shrubs and trees, aim for early fall planting. In warmer climates where frost is rare, fall through early winter planting can work too.
What type of habitat do butterflies and hummingbirds prefer?
Understanding the habitat preferences of butterflies and hummingbirds will help you design a garden they will flock to. Here are some key elements to provide:
- Sunshine – Butterflies and hummingbirds need sun to stay warm and active. Place flowering plants in full sun areas.
- Shelter – Windbreaks, trees and shrubs provide shelter on cold and windy days. Butterflies roost in trees and shrubs at night.
- Water – A shallow bird bath or water feature gives butterflies and hummingbirds a drinking and bathing source.
- Host plants – Include host plants that provide leaves for caterpillars to eat, such as dill, fennel and milkweed.
- Nectar plants – Abundant nectar plants are essential for both butterflies and hummingbirds to fuel themselves.
- Overwintering sites – Gardens with piles of leaf litter, stems or rotting wood allow butterflies to shelter during winter.
How do you design a garden for butterflies and hummingbirds?
When planning your garden, keep these key design elements in mind:
- Flower shape – Include tubular and cup-shaped flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds can easily feed from.
- Flower colors – Reds, oranges, pinks, purples and yellows attract the most pollinators.
- Continuous bloom – Have flowers blooming from spring through fall to provide constant nectar.
- Plant in drifts – Groupings of the same plants are easier for pollinators to feed from.
- Plant density – Have about 1-3 flowers per square foot so pollinators can easily move around.
- Variety – Plant a diverse mix of annuals, perennials, vines, trees and shrubs to support pollinators.
- Native plants – Use at least 50% native plants which are best suited to local pollinators.
In terms of layout, central beds and borders filled with flowers and screening trees and shrubs around the perimeter make good habitat.
What are the best flowers and plants to attract butterflies?
Here are some top butterfly-attracting flowers to incorporate:
- Native milkweed – Vital host plant for Monarch caterpillars.
- Butterfly bush – Extremely attractive to butterflies.
- Coneflowers – Echinacea and rudbeckia provide abundant nectar.
- Cosmos – Bright flowers preferred by many butterfly species.
- Zinnias – Various colors to choose from.
- Pentas – Tubular red, pink and purple flowers.
- Lantana – Clusters of yellow, orange, red or pink blooms.
- Verbena – Tiny flowers grow in butterfly-friendly clusters.
- Salvia – A favorite for its nourishing nectar.
- Marigolds – Cheerful flowers that attract many pollinators.
- Asters – Wildflowers with daisy-like blooms.
Choosing a variety of these flowering plants that bloom in succession will provide butterflies with a constant nectar supply.
What are the best flowers and plants to attract hummingbirds?
Here are some excellent options for attracting hummingbirds to your garden:
- Bee balm – Tubular red flowers packed with nectar.
- Cardinal flower – Loved by hummingbirds for its bright red blooms.
- Trumpet vine – Orange trumpet-shaped flowers hummingbirds adore.
- Petunias – Abundant single blooms in bright colors.
- Sages – Salvia is a favorite for its long tubular flowers.
- Columbines – Unique spurred flowers with lots of nectar.
- Fuchsia – Elegant hanging flowers appeal to hummingbirds.
- Coral bells – Small flowers held on tall stalks.
- Penstemon – Tall flower spikes in red, pink or purple.
- Geranium – Sturdy flowers in bright red and pink shades.
Focus on red and orange tubular flowers with adequate nectar to satisfy hummingbird’s appetites.
What is the best way to plant flowers for pollinators?
Follow these tips when planting flowers to create an attractive habitat for butterflies and hummingbirds:
- Plant in clusters – Group 3-5 plants together in “drifts” to make it easier for pollinators to move between flowers.
- Use irregular spacing – Scatter plants in an informal way instead of rigid rows.
- Mix flower shapes – Include some daisy-like composites along with tubular and cup-shaped flowers.
- Plant densely – Bed should have 1-3 flowers per square foot so pollinators always have access to nectar.
- Set flowering plants near anchor plants like shrubs and trees to provide shelter.
How do you provide shelter for butterflies and hummingbirds?
Butterflies and hummingbirds need places to rest, roost, and take cover from bad weather. Here are some ways to provide shelter in your habitat garden:
- Trees and shrubs – Evergreen and flowering trees give butterflies and hummingbirds a place to perch and hide.
- Brush piles – Piling cut branches and sticks creates hiding spots butterflies can shelter in.
- Rock piles or stone walls – Butterflies will sun themselves on rocks to raise their body temperature.
- Butterfly houses – Simple wooden boxes or mesh cages give butterflies safe refuge.
- Water features – Fountains, ponds, or bird baths provide drinking and bathing opportunities.
- Long grasses – Let areas of lawn grow longer to create protective cover.
By providing both living shelters like shrubs and man-made elements like brush piles, you create a balanced habitat for your pollinators.
Should you include host plants for caterpillars?
Providing host plants for caterpillars is an important part of creating viable butterfly habitat. This gives them a place to lay eggs and feed larvae. Here’s what you need to know:
- Caterpillars are picky – They only eat certain host plants, often native species like milkweed.
- Have host plants near nectar plants – So when butterflies emerge they have food sources.
- Accept leaf damage – Caterpillars eat leaves so expect some cosmetic damage.
- Include diversity – Have at least 3-5 species to support more butterfly species.
- Let some plants remain – Allow larvae to fully develop by leaving some plants intact.
By accepting some plant sacrifice, you will be rewarded with more butterflies taking up residence in your garden as they complete their lifecycles.
What is the best water source for a butterfly and hummingbird habitat?
Adding a water feature will make your habitat even more attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Here are recommended options:
- Shallow birdbath – Place flat rocks or stones in a wide basin for perching.
- Butterfly puddling area – Fill a shallow pan with sand or soil and keep moist.
- Fountain or bubbler – Moving water attracts more pollinators.
- Mister – A mister set on a timer keeps plants moist for butterflies.
- Fruit feeder – Hang slices of oranges, grapes or watermelon.
Position water sources in sunny openings and keep them clean. Add fresh fruit daily and clean baths regularly. The sound and movement of water will draw in more wildlife.
What are the best trees and shrubs for a butterfly and hummingbird habitat?
Here are some excellent tree and shrub choices to incorporate into your habitat:
- Butterfly bush – Has fragrant flowers that butterflies love.
- Lilacs – Fragrant spring blooms attract swallowtail butterflies.
- Viburnum – Produces clusters of small white flowers.
- Buddleia – Long flowering period appeals to butterflies.
- Honeysuckle – Tubular flowers filled with nectar for hummingbirds.
- Weigela – Bold pink/red flowers that hummingbirds feed on.
- Elderberry – Produces abundance of flowers used by pollinators.
- Salvia – Varieties like “Hot Lips” have edible flowers.
Focus on plants that offer profuse flowers, ample nectar, and extended flowering time. Avoid pesticide use which can poison pollinators.
What are the best perennials and vines for butterfly and hummingbird gardens?
Adding perennials and climbing vines ensures continuous color and nectar in your habitat. Here are top options:
Perennials:
- Yarrow
- Bee balm
- Lobelia
- Sages
- Cardinal flower
- Columbine
- Coneflower
- Lantana
- Gayfeather
- Fennel
Vines:
- Trumpet creeper
- Coral honeysuckle
- Passion flower
- Clematis
- Scarlet runner bean
- Jasmine
- Butterfly pea
Choose a variety that bloom at different times and in different colors. Mass groupings of 3-5 plants together for best effect.
What is the best way to provide nesting and roosting habitats?
Butterflies and hummingbirds need suitable places to rest overnight and nest. Here are tips for providing roosting and nesting spots:
- Leave dead trees standing – Butterflies roost on old gnarled branches.
- Don’t prune all shrubs – Keep lower branches for shelter spots.
- Allow wet areas – Butterflies congregate on damp soil.
- Add brush piles – Use discarded branches and twigs.
- Hang mesh cages – cocoons.
- Set out nesting boxes – Especially for hummingbirds.
- Provide thickets – Let areas of your habitat grow thick and dense.
- Leave leaf litter – Butterflies overwinter in fallen leaves.
Ensuring your habitat offers secluded, sheltered spots will invite more butterflies and hummingbirds to stay and breed.
What care and maintenance does a pollinator garden need?
Here are some tips for caring for your habitat garden to keep it attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds:
- Weed and water regularly – Control weeds and irrigate plants when needed.
- Deadhead flowers – Removing spent blooms encourages more flowers.
- Provide supplemental feeding – Set out nectar feeders or fruit.
- Do fall cleanup – But leave some plants, leaf litter, brush for winter shelters.
- Monitor for pests and diseases – Address any issues promptly.
- Allow some caterpillar damage – They are part of the natural ecosystem.
- Plant new plants annually – To maintain an ideal density and diversity.
- Leave seed heads – Let plants self sow to propagate more plants.
With proper care you can enjoy your vibrant pollinator garden for years to come.
Conclusion
Creating an appealing habitat for butterflies and hummingbirds requires providing the key elements they need like food, shelter, water and breeding spots. By understanding their preferences and requirements, you can design a landscape that will attract and nurture these important pollinators. The reward will be the gift of their beauty and fascinating behaviors to observe and enjoy in your own backyard.
