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Here in Colorado we are lucky. Not only do we have many species
of butterflies that frequent our area, but we also have several types
of hummingbirds that visit the Front Range. Many of these creatures
may simply stop in our yards for a break on their way up to the high
country. However, if you want to encourage them to stick around for a
while, there are a few steps you can take.
To set up a butterfly and hummingbird Garden, keep a few simple thoughts in mind.
Butterflies
First, realize that each life stage of the butterfly has specific
needs. The food sources for immature stages (various caterpillars) and
adult butterflies can often be very different. Food supply is critical
and so is the physical environment they each need.
Since the Front Range of Colorado is prone to high winds at
certain times of the year, it is helpful to provide shelter from wind
for butterflies. Using windbreaks or a sheltered area is a good start.
It is also important to know that most butterflies have specific
host plants on which they develop. Monarch butterfly caterpillars will
only develop on milkweed. Black swallowtails feed only on parsley,
dill and related plants.
The food supply for adult butterflies usually consists of nectar,
or sweet liquids, produced by flowers. Some types of flowers produce
more nectar than others and even flower color can attract or deter
butterflies.
Some of the more common butterflies in Colorado and their
favorite annual flowering plants on which adults feed include:
- Two-tailed swallowtail (geranium)
- Western tiger swallowtail (zinnia)
- Monarch (cosmos)
- Painted lady (cosmos, zinnia, many other flowers)
- Clouded sulfur (phlox, marigold)
- Orange sulfur (marigold, zinnia)
- Silver-spotted skipper (zinnia, sweet pea)
- Checkered skipper (verbena, aster)
Keep in mind that the caterpillars (immature stages) of
butterflies can be destructive to desirable plants. For example, as
mentioned earlier, black swallowtail caterpillars will munch on dill,
parsley, fennel, and carrot. So be careful where you plant these if
you want them for your dining room table instead of for caterpillar
food. The same applies to the European cabbage butterfly which likes
broccoli, cabbage, and other members of the mustard family.
Hummingbirds
There are several types of hummingbirds that live in Colorado.
The most common is the broad-tailed hummingbird. Others that we may
see from time to time include rufous, calliope, and black-chinned
hummingbirds. During the summer we see hummingbirds most frequently in
the foothills and the mountains, because they nest in these areas.
It is a little harder to attract hummingbirds to our Gardens than
it is to attract butterflies. First of all, the Garden must be visible
to them from 30 to 50 feet overhead. The colors must be vivid in order
to catch their eyes on their migratory trips from mid-April to mid-May
and again from mid-July through September.
There is a long list of flowers that are attractive to
hummingbirds. Some annuals that you might have success with include
geraniums, verbena, dianthus, vinca, morning glories, salvia, and
smaller-flowered petunias.
Here are some other tips that may help you in luring butterflies
and hummingbirds to your Garden. Plant several separate Gardens to
minimize competition between butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant
masses of color closely together to create islands of bright color.
Annuals work particularly well for this. Plant some of the annuals
that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds, such as geranium and
verbena. Plan your Garden so that some flowers are blooming all
summer. Timing is everything. And, lastly, minimize the use of harsh
pesticides if at all possible. Not only will they harm many
butterflies and hummingbirds, but they may also kill spiders and
insects that are also eaten by hummingbirds.
For more information on Gardening, contact your
local Colorado State University Extension office.
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