Butterflies in the Garden

     Now that spring has sprung, it's time to get out in the yard and complete all those curb appeal projects that keep the place looking good. The short, mild winter didn't slow the grass down long enough for any dust to settle on the lawn mower or the hedge trimmers. In addition to the rapid plant growth, all the little garden critters get an early start at doing their thing. Unlike most of our parents and grandparents, today's savvy gardeners know there are many bugs in the yard that should not be stomped! A Ladybug isn't in your shrubs just to look good, she's devouring aphids, scales and other nasty pests that damage the landscape. But surely the creature to benefit the most from this new awareness has to be the caterpillar.

    Referred to by gramma as a worm right before she stomped it, an astute butterfly gardener now knows that caterpillars are special because they are the larval form of a moth or butterfly. By planting certain plants in the garden, desirable types of caterpillars can easily be attracted into the garden, adding an irresistable level of movement and color. Once you add a simple milkweed to a sunny spot in your back yard and spot your first Monarch Caterpillar munching on it's leaves, a new level of gardening starts to open up. Being able to witness the transformation of a "worm" into an amazing butterfly is magical to anyone who takes the time to observe it. 

     At Hollie's Farm & Garden, we are known for creating gardens for attracting Hummingbirds and butterflies into the urban landscape. Stop by and check out a wide selection of shrubs and perennials that will bring that extra element of fun and curiosity to your landscape. Also, be sure to joil is Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 am for our annual Mother's Day Butterfly Release