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JULY 2013 HOMES PLUS 9 How to create a butterfly garden and zinnias. If you want more than one species of butterfly, plant a diversity of host plants. Nectar plants are those plants that provide food for the adult butterfly itself. Those flowers that offer clusters are more popular than single flowers because they offer a multiple-food source, therefore less traveling from plant to plant. The larger butterflies, such as monarchs and swallowtails, also prefer flowers with a large landing area. You'll want to plant several bloom shapes in order to attract different species. Also, group your flowers together to provide multiple nectar sources and to help limit travel time for them. Fragrant flowers are favored over nonfragrant, and flowers in the sun are favored over shade. Also, flowers of red, orange and yellow colors are butterfly magnets. Some great nectar plants include bee balm, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, Joe Pye weed, butterfly weed, asters and phlox. Butterfly bushes and lilacs are also popular. Butterflies are not able to get all their nutrients and water from flowers. A muddy puddle, or an area of wet sand, is needed in order for them to suck up necessary salts, minerals and water. For an extra water source, try placing a rock in your bird bath for them to perch on and drink. Since butterflies are cold-blooded, they U p g r a d e Yo u r S h o w e r Pro's Pick® Solar Salt water softener salt upgrades your water and your life. That's because soft water is easier on your skin, laundry and more. Call for convenient delivery or pickup today. Upgrade Your Water 1344 White Rock Ave. Waukesha, WI 53186 www.softwaterinc.com 230290001 • Spring & Fall Cleanups MICHAEL TIMM • Lawn Mowing / Maintenance • Seeding • Sodding • Pruning need a safe place to roost on cool, cloudy days. Shrubs, tall grasses, butterfly houses and even firewood piles provide adequate shelter. A safe, sheltered area protects them from both predators and the elements. A sunny open area around your garden is also a must. Butterflies like to bask in the sun. A well-positioned rock in an open area of your garden will work perfectly. Now that you understand the butterfly a little better, and the plants and environment they prefer, you can start planning a butterfly garden of your own. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is the head horticulturist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia. He can be reached at mtimm@ebertsgreenhouse.com.) • Aeration & Dethatching • Rough & Finish Grading • Planting • Bed Edging • Oak Mulch • Fully Insured • Skid Loader & Dump Truck • Residential & Commercial We deliver small loads of TOP SOIL 1⁄2 yards - 3 yards Call Today! 262-542-6120 whlandscaping@gmail.com WINDOW SALE $100 OFF Per WINDOW SAVE $100 per window on all High Performance Replacement Windows Redeem this coupon at Paradise Builders on Sunset Drive in Waukesha. 233025001 NO Interest Option for 6 Months r y! ur H • Water Softeners • Iron Filters • Drinking Water Systems 262-547-3866 Enjoy Your Summer! 232455005 WAUKESHA – Something I like to do in the offseason is plan new gardens. One that I've been working on is my butterfly garden. Nothing seems to warm the heart of a gardener more than the sight of butterflies fluttering about. Have you ever wondered why butterflies seem to be flying around so haphazardly, looking like they don't have a clue what they're doing? Well, have no fear, this is normal. Butterflies taste with their feet. So this fluttering around is actually a sophisticated search for their favorite foods (nectar plants) or egg laying sites (host plants). Butterfly gardens need five essential elements to be successful. They must include host plants, nectar plants, water, shelter and sunny open areas. The host plants are those that adults lay their eggs on, and will eventually become food for their growing larva. Each species of butterfly has its own favorite plants. For example, monarchs prefer milkweed, where the black swallowtail prefers parsley or dill. Other host plants include numerous herbs, daisies, violets, snapdragons, asters, hollyhocks -or- LIMITED for ! l TIME Cal tails OFFER De Your Someday Is Here