Summer is here and so are the butterflies! Our pick this month is ‘Butterflies of Illinois: A Field Guide’ by Michael R. Jeffords, Susan L. Post and James R. Wiker.
This book will help us identify the butterflies that come to our gardens. On the first two pages is an “Identification Quick Guide,” with over 100 photos of butterflies and the page number where we can find more information about each one. The book is written as user-friendly as possible, enabling those of us with little or no knowledge of butterflies to identify any butterfly that calls Illinois home, even it’s just a vacation home.
There’s a bit of guidance to help us attract butterflies to our home gardens, starting on page 84. As I have written previously, we can’t expect our forest preserves and conservation areas to meet all of the needs of our pollinators, including butterflies. Butterfly populations are declining all over the word, including Illinois, and If each of us can provide a little bit of support, it can make a difference. Speaking of survival – don’t use pesticides!
We also need to know how to attract butterflies. A suggested garden layout using native plants is provided by extension.illinois.edu/pollinator-pockets.
If you want to start small, look at the herb section of the May Book of the Month- ‘Plant Guide 2021’ by The Growing Place – my favorite local nursery. Starting on page 43, we learn that many herbs are “pollinator plants” that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, etc. Pot up a few of these herbs or start a small herb garden. Butterflies will share, but remember that if the herb is a host plant, that means that it will be eaten – by the caterpillar that will turn into the butterfly. For example, dill (page 45) can be added to salads, soups, stews and fish dishes AND it is a food source for Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. Many perennials also attract butterflies, so check out that section, too.
When planting for butterflies, other pollinators will come as well. I saw my first hummingbird May 19 on my catmint that is now a source of nectar for butterflies.
At a Naperville Garden Club plant exchange, I came home with this wonderful perennial. If you want to learn about gardening, share your love of gardening and make friends with other gardeners, join a garden club! No experience necessary.
