butterfly gardening (was butterflies in New Jersey)

[Sheri Moreau]

Spryder at sprynet.com wrote:

>I'm looking for suggestions on beginning a butterfly garden in northern New 
>Jersey, specifically plants which will attract butterflies of the region.

There are a number of butterfly gardening books out there--many or most of
them fail to place sufficient emphasis on the total needs of the critters,
focusing on nectar plants and glossing over the need for larval host
plants, a water source, windbreaks, hiding places, visibility from afar,
basking places, etc. 

I suggest you pick up a copy of "Garden Butterflies of North America, A
Gallery of Garden Butterflies & How to Attract Them" by Rick Mikula, 1997,
Willow Creek Press, hardcover, 142 pp, $29.50. Beautifully photographed,
detailed lists and guidelines for creating a butterfly garden, and the best
overall information compiled in one place I've yet to see (and I have just
about all the other butterfly gardening books, sigh). Highly recommended.
Available from The Butterfly Website <http://www.butterflywebsite.com> or
your local bookstore.

Sheri <sheri at butterflywings.com>
<www.butterflywings.com>