Huron Bruce Nature Club learns how to attract butterflies to the garden

March feels like a turning point. The first day of spring has officially clocked in, and every few hours of warm sun make gardening inch closer and closer. While it is tempting to grab a spade and begin digging, winter isn’t quite done yet. It is however, a good time to start planning for more bio-diversity in the garden, using native plants that attract butterflies.

Clinton resident and gardening enthusiast Mike Ward brought an informative presentation to the Huron Bruce Nature Club, based on more than 10 years of experience in his own urban garden. He now shares his knowledge with local garden clubs, neighbours, and outdoor education groups.

Ward’s journey began simply by observing the lifecycle of butterflies on plants in his yard, which birthed a desire in him to help them thrive and successfully migrate. Monarch butterflies, for example, migrate up to 5,000 kilometres from North American breeding grounds to central Mexican forests. Providing them with energy through intentional planting of nectar-rich, native plants became a passion for Ward, and his presentation focused on optimal plant specimen choices.

In a 2016 photo, Ward's garden consisted of shrubs and grass, and was dominated by a deep shade Norway Maple. There were few, to no, butterflies or bees to be seen, and he set about transforming the space, starting with the removal of six truckloads of plants.

By carefully selecting nectar plants to attract and host plants for growth, Ward’s garden was transformed into a rich habitat for a colourful range of butterflies, such as the black, giant, and spicebush Swallowtail, American Lady, and Monarch.

The unique needs of Monarchs and their long migration are of particular interest because the caterpillars rely solely on the milkweed plant for their food source. Ward provided practical suggestions on the best varieties of milkweed to plant in local gardens to ensure a critical food source for these beautiful creatures.

Butterflies prefer groupings of flowers, with shrubs or trees nearby to provide shelter from excessive heat and wind. A “puddling” area is a spot in which they can sip moisture from the ground. Because butterflies are attracted to many drought-tolerant, native perennial wildflowers, a butterfly garden offers a great, low maintenance alternative to traditional gardens.

Follow Ward on his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Waystayion14070/.

In other club news, Christine Roberts provided a tutorial on how to use the iNaturalist application (app) in preparation for this year’s City Nature Challenge. iNaturalist is a website and app where people around the world share their nature sightings and observations, building a global database that supports scientific research. Contributors are known as citizen scientists. The Huron Bruce Nature Club has planned guided hikes April 25 and 26; details are available on the club web page at hbn.huronstewardship.ca.

Huron Bruce Nature meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of the month, with the next one planned for Tuesday, April 28, at Camp Kintail. This “sold-out” meeting is known as the annual dinner, and features author and explorer Adam Shoalts. Shoalts is a fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and is considered one of the most influential explorers in Canadian history. He will discuss his expeditions in Canada’s wilderness, including his quest to retrace the route of a legendary explorer who disappeared more than a century ago.

Contact information for club inquiries can be found on the club web page, or by leaving a message on the club Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/HuronBruceNature.



Mike Ward (left) shares information about the lifecycle of Monarch butterflies with Huron Bruce Nature member Dan Bieman



Clinton resident Mike Ward presents information on how to attract butterflies to your garden, at the Huron Bruce Nature March meeting