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We asked Simone Deman, owner of Forget-Me-Not Greenhouse, for advice regarding the creation of our butterfly garden. Here is a copy of our email correspondence: Friday, May 10, 2002 Dear Mrs. Deman, This is Mrs. Maas writing to you from St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Edmonton. We have begun a Green Thumbs gardening club for grade three students. We have decided to raise butterflies in our classroom, and to create a butterfly garden at our school. We know that this is a very busy time of year for you but we are wondering if you could list some types of flowers that will attract butterflies. We are interested in planting both perennials and annuals. We thank you for your expert advice and look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours in gardening, Mrs. Deman's reply:
Sunday, May 12, 2002
Good morning Grade 3 class,
To attract butterflies plant flowers with showy blooms
of purple, orange, yellow and red. Single blooms provide better access to
nectar than double blooms do. And the flowers that face upward are easier for
butterflies to sip from.
Annuals that are preferred are Marigolds, Nasturtiums,
Impatiens, Sweet Alyssum, and Zinnias.
Herbs that attract butterflies are Allium (Purple
Sensation) Dill, Fennel, Chives, Lavender, and Wild Bergamot. Perennials they
love are Hollyhocks, Daylilies, Sweet William, Purple Coneflowers, Globe
Thistle, Leopard's Bane, Bee Balm, Coreopsis, Scabiosa, Rudbeckia and most
Sedum.
Lilac Shrubs are also a favorite.
In vegetable gardens butterflies are partial to beans and cabbage.
Just remember that when you create an environment to
attract butterflies, you're also inviting them to lay their eggs that will
become caterpillars. A very favorite place to lay their eggs is on the Passion
Flower.
I hope you observe many butterflies in your garden, Simone Deman
Forget-Me-Not Greenhouse
*Bouquets of thanks go out to Mr. & Mrs. Deman for their donation of daylilies for our butterfly garden. |