We have many visitors to our yards during the summer, some of which are more welcome than others. Creating bee and butterfly gardens is a wonderful way to attract the industrious and the beautiful of the insect world – these creatures are both amazing to watch and good for the environment. Gardens cultivated for the purpose of attracting bees and butterflies can be extravagant in scope, or as simple as a few potted plants. For everything you need to get started, you can trust the experts at Griffin’s Floral Designs.

Why Bees? You may wonder why you would want to attract honeybees. This insect is critical to the ecosystem (in particular in plant and food production) yet are in serious decline worldwide. Providing bees with bee friendly flowers is a great way to assist in their recovery in a small and personal way. 

Each species of butterfly has its own “favorite flower”, but in general you can be sure to attract butterflies simply by making bright, nectar filled flowers available. Sunflowers, asters, daisies and solidago (goldenrod) are all considered great choices when setting up butterfly gardens.

You can further encourage butterflies to come and spend some time if you provide a space sheltered from wind, and given them a clean water source. Ironically, although you will want to start with fresh water, it is best to mix in some sand or soil – they actually derive needed nutrients from silty water. Fill a birdbath and add some sand, or place pie pans with water, sand and rocks around the flowers. 

Bees are attracted to the flowers listed above, and also love butterfly bushes, snapdragons, lavender, and black-eyes susans. The bees will also appreciate a water supply, but will require some rocks, pebbles or stick to give them a perch . Zinnias, marigolds and mums are beautiful for your butterfly gardens, and will also be a hit with the bees. But mums also are a powerful insect repellent – they will ward off roaches, ants, Japanese beetles, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas, bedbugs, spider mites and more! Herbs such as lavender, basil, rosemary, mint and lemongrass are perfect to repel a wide variety of insects, from aphids to mosquitoes. In fact, the oil from lemongrass is what is used to make citronella candles.

We all love adding color and beauty to our patios and back yards -this summer, choose the plants and flowers that will also serve a purpose – with the help of Griffin’s Floral Designs.

We are proud to serve clients across Columbus, Pataskala, New Albany & Newark.