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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-04-22, Page 67Page 40 Let this year's garden — take wing! The concept of butterfly gardening is not new; it is a very popular pastime in England and the United States. Winston Churchill was probably the most famous butterfly gardener of this century. Even the gardens of Buckingham Palace have become famous because they provide sanctuary for many rare British butterflies. You can attract as many as 50 dif- ferent types of butterflies to your yard,, simply by adding a few new plants to your garden, says Landscape Designer Katherine Dunster of the University of Guelph's department of landscape architecture: The secret lies in providing a wide variety of Bowers and shrubs. Shade -tolerant plants are as impor- tant as those that thrive in the sun. Annuals, 1s, nnials, shrubs and tree s will all provide food for butterflies. Seeding part of a lawn with a wild- flower meadow mix — now available through seed catalogues and garden centres — is a good way to start. Flower color is important too; some butterflies prefer oranges, reds and yellows; others are attracted to whites, purples and blues. "If you aim for a wide variety of color you will probably have greater success," she said. As a rule, simple flowers, rather than fancy double -hybrids, are more attrac- tive to butterflies. Try butterfly milkweed, arabis, sweet rocket, honesty, sweet William, white alyssum, cosmos, coreopsis, phlox, daisies, catnip, heliotrope, sea holly, asters,. stocks, zinnias, yarrow, globe thistles, lavender, thyme, stonecrops, sweet woodruff, candytuft, verbena and gaillardia. Some shrubs and small trees that are popular with many butterflies include butterfly bush, common lilac, mock orange, beauty bush, blackberry, potentilla, honeysuckle, hawthorn, weigela, sumac, rose of Sharon, spirea, privet, pussy willow and viburnum. - Try growing some of these plants in masses, rather than as single speci- mens; the measure of your success will be the number and variety of butter- flies you can lure to your yard. And contrary to popular belief, but- terfliesdo not harm flowers or v;etables; they usually visit. to sip nectar from flowers — just as honey- bees do. In fact, they are excellent pollinators and can improve your fruit and vege- table production. At times, their larvae do cause damage in the garden.; but most have very special food requirements such as grasses, common weeds and wildflowers. However, the cabbage white butterfly can be a pest. . Its larvae eat plants in the cabbage family. "If caterpillars are causing pro- blems in your garden, it may be best to pith them off your plants; spraying is not recommended because it can harm beneficial insects as well,"` Dunster said. Over the years, experiment with dif- ferent color and plant combinations to find out which plants are best for your area. "All that remains then, is to purchase a field guide to butterflies, and sit back and see who drops in for a visit, "• she said. 34 VICTORIA STN.,: Phone 524-7312 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE Fo'r fighter, brighter, bigger rooms and a dramatic decorating statement at low cost, OPEC YOUR HOME TO THE SUN AND'SKY Odiabk- 104.1.4 April 24, 25 & 26 Goderich Arena Big decorating effestls aBi budget fil-Pals Mirror Door Solid Oak' (W IVS Scuio) \tonarc h wardrobe mirror doors are one or the most dramatic thFngs eou t an do for a room, The,, push hat It walls. open up space and add the grand sense of tuxure that quaht\ mirrors ha%eat'ea,.sadded a • illOnarch Mirror Door Canada. Inc Look for the shield. FORMAN D FUNCTION OF UNCOMPROMISING QUALITY Local Distributors For REPIA