Find a sunny site. Most butterflies prefer sunshine and hate to fight the wind, so choose a warm, sheltered spot. Also, provide some flat rocks, where they can take a break, and a source of water–like a nearby puddle.
Choose native plants. Most butterflies like white, orange and yellow flowers, like daisies, marigolds and yarrow. Monarchs are also drawn to purple aster. The benefit of local flowers is that they grow without insecticides, which would kill the butterflies. And don’t bother to plant roses: bred for their beauty, they’ve become nectar deficient.
Read up. Arm yourself with books like “Watch Me Grow: Butterfly” ($7.99), for kids. Adults should check out Kenn Kaufman and Jim P. Brock’s photo-filled “Butterflies of North America” ($22).
Watch. Unlike birding, butterflying doesn’t require early-morning rising. Butterflies, like most of us, prefer to be out and about from midmorning to late afternoon, especially on sunny days. Just avoid towering over them; they might think you’re a predator, not a green thumb.
