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skyy

By Skyy

Florida, United States Us

HI
I tried last year to create a small butterfly garden for my kids and was not succesful I guess my question is can I actually make a butterfly garden in containers?? I think I would be better at container gardening :) maybe .
Thanks




Answers

 

In the UK, the classic butterfly attracting plant is Buddleia davidii - does better in the ground, although there is a dwarf version, if you can find it. It likes Zones 5 to 9, so don't know if that's alright for you, but if the flowers are in sun (July/August here) then many butterflies will visit. If you put it in the ground (best) then remember to prune it back to within 2 inches of the old wood every year in Spring.

13 Mar, 2010

 

did you use a mixed seed packet? some of the species in these dont suit everyones soil conditions and are often a mix of annuals and perennials. you could try planting butterfly attracting perennials grown in pots that will come back year after year

13 Mar, 2010

 

HI Mageth
I actually planted a Passion Flower, Purple Showers, Pentas and Lantanas. All I have left now is the passion flower plant which is out of control because I am afraid to clip it. I don't want to kill it and don't even know how to prune them back. And I have the purple showers that have not been giving any flowers lately.
Today I was browsing at Lowes after my kids build and grow workshop and I bought a beatiful plant called Mona Lavender and also bought a Sunshine Blue Blueberry Tree. I have no idea where I will plant them but I am thinking containers :) Thanks for you response

13 Mar, 2010

 

Thanks Bamboo I will look for that plant over here and see what I find

13 Mar, 2010

 

Your passion flower - if its Passiflora cerulea can be cut back if necessary in Spring

14 Mar, 2010

 

I don't know how to cut them :)

14 Mar, 2010

 

Pair of secateurs, sorry, being facetious - cut back to new growth once you can see it coming (might even be from the base, in which case, remove all dead topgrowth)

15 Mar, 2010

 

Ok so I cut my passion flower down to 2 feet. My milkweed is doing great and we have lots of eggs and caterpillars and the kids are super excited.

6 Apr, 2010

 

Let's hope the caterpillars are actually butterflies then;-))

7 Apr, 2010

 

They are Monarchs. We have had a flutter of Monarch butterfly activity in our yard lately. I will have to post some pics later on today.

7 Apr, 2010

How do I say thanks?

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