Two Years ago, we completed the plantings for a Butterfly Garden in Aspen. Last year, while finishing up another area of the property, it was fun to see more and more butterflies visiting the garden.
This butterfly garden had a special meaning to the client. The client associated butterflies with a close family member who is no longer alive. When we first discussed the project during the design phase, I thought that just maybe I could help her with that loss in a healing re-juvinating way. The approach turned into a massive planting designed to attract and foster the local Butterfly population.
It is estimated that there are over 15,000 species of butterflies throughout the world. Although some butterflies can live a year or more most adult butterflies only live two to three weeks. Butterflies are usually territorial but the Monarch will migrate thousands of miles each year from Canada to Mexico.
In the past, I have used plants that attract butterflies many times, however this was different because of the special meaning butterflies had for the client. So I enlisted the assistance of a butterfly expert, Professor Paul A. Opler, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management, Colorado State University, to help me design a garden with the greatest chance for success.
