Ask the Master Gardener: How to attract butterflies, and the low-down on plastic mulch
Q: I have heard that planting a butterfly bush is the best to attract butterflies. Is this true or are there better choices for attracting butterflies and other pollinators to my yard?
It is true that butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) will attract many butterflies due to the tremendous amount of nectar it produces, however it isn't the best choice if you are wanting a thriving population of butterflies and other pollinators in your yard. Butterfly bush provides food for the pollinators, but nothing else. In order to both attract and keep butterflies, you will need not only nectar plants but also host plants. While butterflies will go to various nectar plants, they are very specific in their requirements for a host plant, various types of butterflies require various hosts. No butterfly larva will feed on the leaves of butterfly bush.
Butterfly bush is not native to North America, therefore is an alien plant, and has become invasive in some areas, especially in disturbed ground or along waterways. It has been banned in some states, Oregon and Washington; more states may follow this trend. They are particularly harmful because they crowd out useful native plants and monopolize the pollinators, disrupting the life cycle and reducing the pollinators' success, leading to fewer butterflies.
A better choice for butterflies would be a variety of native plants. There are beautiful native shrubs that are both nectar plants and host plants for various pollinators. These would include buttonbush and New Jersey Tea for wet sites, Summer-sweet and Virginia Sweetspire for drier areas. There are also many flowering plants such as milkweeds, coreopsis, native asters, garden phlox and cardinal flower that will both attract and host various pollinators. A wide variety of both host and nectar plants will lead to greater success in attracting and providing habitat for butterflies.
Is plastic sheet mulch a good choice to use in my vegetable garden or is there a better choice? What are the pros and cons of plastic mulch? What about using this in other types of gardening?
Plastic mulch, when used in vegetable gardening for a season can be useful, but also has many issues involved in its use. Use in other types of gardening, such as flower beds, is not a good idea and may create more problems than it solves.
Some good points of plastic mulch is that it is effective at stopping soil erosion, it warms the soil and may help extend the growing season, helps retain moisture, and will help manage weeds and insects. On the other hand, there are many cons in the use of this product in the vegetable garden. First of all, the plastic contributes to already overfilled landfills, and also provides a good hiding place for slugs, earwigs, and other pests. In the case of heavy rains, the plastic will not allow the soil to dry out, keeping the soil soggy for days.
Organic mulches are better choices such as straw (not hay), deep compost, leaves, well-aged wood chips or sawdust, or grass clippings.
Readers can pose questions or get more information by calling 417-874-2963 and talking to one of the trained volunteers staffing the Master Gardener Hotline at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Greene County located inside the Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO 65807.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: These plants are best to attract butterflies and other pollinators
