Sustainable Urban Gardening Ideas to Welcome Butterflies To Your Outdoor Space

Do you remember the last time you saw a butterfly while walking in the park or the nearest green space within your area? If it’s been years since you’ve seen these magnificent critters in your city, it’s because these pollinators are facing declines in urban areas around the world.

A study shows that as urbanization increases, the abundance and biodiversity of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and certain bats and birds decreases. According to Dr. Huan Liang from Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, butterflies are the most negatively affected by urbanization because they’re highly sensitive to environmental changes.

“They depend on very specific plants for their nutrition and larval development,” Dr. Liang explains. “Since these are found less and less in cities, the populations of many butterfly species are declining.”

Some local governments are attempting to bring the butterflies back by adding flowering plants to public green spaces. However, urbanites can also do their part to protect these pollinators by engaging in eco-friendly gardening routines. Having the right plants outside your home can help to encourage butterflies to return to the metropolis, so here are some sustainable urban gardening ideas to welcome these pollinators to your outdoor space.

Grow a Nectar-Rich Container Garden

Some residential lots in cities come with sizeable backyards that can be transformed into a gardener’s paradise. Since having lots of planting space is rare in urban residential communities, those who have it make time and effort to enhance their outdoor spaces with structures, such as a pergola or a pavilion. Having one of these in your backyard not only boosts the aesthetic appeal of your property but also gives you a cool, shady area to rest while gardening. 

Apart from structures, homeowners are also beautifying their gardens with flowering plants, which are a favorite of butterflies. However, keep in mind that you don’t need a large garden to grow colorful blooms. All you need are some containers and a few nectar-rich plants, and soon, you’ll see butterflies flitting around your home. 

First, repurpose old pots, tires, or buckets for container gardening, and fill them with potting mix for good drainage and nutrient retention. Next, plant native flowers that butterflies love. For instance, if you live in Ohio, choose plants such as Black-Eyed Susans, purple coneflowers, or wild blue phlox.

Their bright colors and high nectar content make them attractive to butterflies and other pollinators, so place a few pots of coneflowers and black-eyed susans in full sunlight for them to thrive, then plant wild blue phlox in shady areas around your house.    

Make Space for Vining Veggies that Butterflies Love

Did you know that certain vegetable crops are attractive to pollinators? Butterflies pollinate veggies like celery, kale, lettuce, and artichokes, so grow some of these crops in your container garden. If space is limited, consider vertical gardening, a sustainable gardening technique used in residential condominiums and apartments. 

Simply lean a trellis against a wall in your balcony or porch, and secure it properly so it won’t fall over. See to it that there’s enough space between the trellis and the wall for proper airflow, which can help to prevent crops from rotting.

Then, choose vining veggies that butterflies like, such as cucumbers and peas. These crops yield flowers that provide a nectar source for butterflies, and they’re easy enough to grow as long as they’re protected from extreme cold and heat. 

Plant Fragrant Herbs that Appeal to Pollinators

To add a delightful fragrance to your surroundings, consider planting herbs in window boxes or hanging planters. Herbs have a lovely scent and are also helpful for culinary and ornamental purposes. What’s more, having them around is a must if you want to see butterflies around your property.

Consider planting some lavender, mint, ornamental sage, lemon balm, basil, and parsley, as these are irresistible to many butterfly species. Remember to grow a variety of herbs to provide pollinators with a continuous food source throughout the year, and group them together to create an attractive, sweet-smelling patch.  

Butterflies are integral to urban landscapes, as they play a vital role in pollination, which benefits the city’s ecosystem. Consider these sustainable urban gardening ideas to enhance your outdoor space and bring the butterflies back to your city.