| Home |
 Blog-Newsletter |
| Tips |
| DVD's |
| Introduction |
| New Pictures |
| Videos |
| My Garden |
| Programs (pdf) |
| Free |
| Schools |
| Butterfly Books |
| Search |
| St. Louis Butterfly Sites |
| Feedback |
| Contact |
9016 Robyn Rd
St Louis MO 63126
Phone: 314-849-6114
Copyright © 2006
The Tom Terrific Company LLC
Let the Sun Shine, Let the Sun Shine In
Do you remember the song, "Let the Sun Shine," from the musical "Hair?" If you do, then that's the song you need to hum to yourself as you plan your Butterfly Garden.
Why do we need to consider sunshine? Three reasons.
1. Butterflies are cold-blooded. At rest their bodies are close to the temperature of the surrounding air. So if it's 50 degrees outside, their body temperature is close to 50 degrees. They need sunshine and warm temperatures to heat their bodies up so they can fly. In fact butterflies can't fly if the temperature's too cold. Many times in the morning you may see a butterfly with it's wings spread out. They do that to warm themselves.
2. Most of the plants which butterflies prefer like the sun. They may not need full sun, but generally the more sun the better.
3. Even when it's hot, butterflies tend to go to flowers which are in the sun.
Evaluate your possible garden areas, looking for which receive the most sun and are best suited for a Butterfly Garden You may have to transplant, trim tree branches or even remove trees depending upon your priorities.
Now having said that, it's amazing to me how well some butterfly plants do with much less than optimal sunshine. In fact if you can get three to four hours of sunshine a day, you can plant some varieties. I have some milkweed plants which get very little sunshine, but still seem to thrive. On the other hand, Lantana I've planted will not bloom in the same situation. You need to experiment and see what does well for you.
Programs(pdf)
