Butterflies need water. They also like places to rest and warm
up, says a University of Georgia gardening expert. And you can do some things to
enhance your butterfly garden.
"Fill the birdbath up with clean sand and soil or clay, and level it
off," says Paul Thomas, an Extension Service floriculturist with the UGA
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. "Then, gently fill the
birdbath with water until it just glistens on the surface of the sand."
Butterflies love wet sand in a sunny spot, Thomas says. You'll need to replenish
the water often, though, on hot days.
"Another fun thing you can do is put pieces of fruit, old or fresh, on top
of the sand," he says. "Pieces of old watermelons, cantaloupes,
bananas, apples and pears attract butterflies like magnets." Once the fruit
has rotted or dried, he says, just remove it.
"Don't be overly concerned by the bees and other insects that also visit
the fruit," he says. "It is all a part of nature and worthy of being
observed."
Paul A. Thomas is an Extension Service floriculturist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.