Hello everyone, I hope someone can help me. I am trying to encourage butterflies to my yard. Does anyone know how I can get a list of the butterflies that come to our area, as well as the food they prefer? I'm hoping to do the same thing with hummingbirds. Thank you so much, Trish
Late Seattle gardener J. Sedenko put out a butterfly gardening book awhile back, you might want to look for that one.
One on butterflies published by UBC Press ,also, if i remember right. Hardback, quite detailed, maybe more info than you need. The Shop in the Garden handled it 4-5 years ago, maybe worth a phone call.
"Butterflies of British Columbia". www.ubcpress.ca/search/title_book.asp?BookID=1856 Should be available at a public library.
Why not reverse the plan? In an area protected from winds, plant Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) and see which butterflies are attracted. They're available in a lovely lilac colour, also a baby pink.
Buddleja davidii is being pooh-poohed on the rainy side as it has gone crazy in OR and WA, even forming thickets on some sites.
Oops, didn't know that. The odd volunteer buddleia shows up at my place, but it's not unwelcome. I dig and pot them up for placement later. The butterflies are worth it, in my view.
