To keep Butterflies happy and entice them to return there are a few tips you can use. You must supply their needs food, water, direct sunlight, breeding, shelter and a place to hibernate. If you have all these components, Butterflies will be more likely to visit and stay.

Of course the first would be food, Plan to have a variety of plants available for them. Annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, Vines and herbs all play an important part in their survival. There are butterfly feeders on the market you can use, mix one part sugar to four parts water. Also some butterflies like fruit, pears, apples, peaches and plums cut them in half and set them in hanging trays in the garden. Late in the year make sure to have plenty of food available for them, The butterflies that stay for the winter will need the nectar.

The next thing is water, Streams and Ponds, real or artificial are a must for a butterfly garden. Prepare a place in the garden that is a mud puddle or a moist sandy area. Butterflies will perch on the edge to drink, rather than putting themselves in danger of drowning. You can put a large shallow dish filled with wet sand or a moist sponge for their water supply.

Butterflies are cold-blooded creatures and they need an open area in direct sun light to bask in, to warm their bodies and speed their metabolism. A large flat rock, rocky area or a sandy area will do nicely.

Butterflies must have host plants for breeding; females after mating will seek out the proper plant to lay her eggs on. Different species will use different plants, the Monarch will only lay her eggs on milkweed and the Black swallowtail will only use dill or members of the carrot family. These host plants will be shredded so it's a good idea to put these plants in an area away from the main garden. A separate garden area that can be over grown is ideal and close to their natural habitat.

Planting trees and shrubs gives butterflies a place to roost for the night, they often choose a place on the underside of a leaf, they like to be camouflaged, and it also provides shelter form the wind and rain.

Not all butterflies migrate in the winter; some butterflies spend the winter in cracks and cervices of walls and trees. Set out a rocky area or a woodpile for winter. Or you can get some butterfly hibernation boxes, but Be sure to put them in protected areas.

Attracting Butterflies in the Shade Garden.

Most butterflies love the sun and will only feed in bright daylight. But if you have a shady lot, don't give up hope. Many woodland species, such as wood satyrs,wood nymphs,commas,and mourning cloaks can be encouraged to visit the woodland garden if you provide their favorite foods. Overripe fruit and fermented tree sap. Place rotting peaches or plums or a thick fruit pulp and sugar water concoction on shady logs and stumps. Butterflies will soon appear. These foods will also attract beautiful moths after dark.