Gardening for wildlife: How to attract birds, bees and butterflies?

Gardening is not only about growing plants. They are considered to be healers. This is because with them we create an ecosystem that supports various forms of life. Seeing the plants grow and support other life on earth who rely on them is therapeutic.

Birds, bees and butterflies in addition to being visually appealing also play an important role in maintaining the balance of nature. They are responsible for pollination. While designing your home garden, it is recommended to design a garden that attracts the birds, bees and butterflies. In this way an optic worthy garden that supports the biodiversity will be ready.

How to design the garden?

In your garden, select flowers rich in nectar, because these are the primary food for bees and butterflies.

Also, choose specific host plants on which butterflies lay eggs. For instance, the Indian Milkweed is important for Monarch butterflies and parsley is important for Swallowtail butterflies.

Choose local plants

Local plants are well adapted to the environment you are in. These plants with their fruits, nectar, seeds etc. attract birds, butterflies and bees. They also provide shelter and so these forms of life are comfortable around them.

• Neem
• Tulsi
• Rose
• Marigold
• Zinnia
• Sunflower
• Lavender
• Flame lily or Karthigaipoo
• Gaillardia pulchella or Indian blanket
• Giant calotrope or Indian Milkweed
• Parsley
• Butterfly Bush
• Sacred Fig or the Peepal Tree

Do note that while you design the garden, choose both annual and perennial plants such that garden is thriving all year long. This helps in maintaining the ecosystem for the birds, bees and butterflies.

Create diverse habitats

Your garden should attract different species and for that different elements like

• Trees that provide shelter
• Shrubs that provide food
• Meadows and flowers that attract bees and butterflies
• Bird feeders to augment food

• Water feature like bird bath or a small artificial pond that will take care of the water needs.

Go organic

Ensure in your garden that you use only organic practices. This is very important because chemicals may have a harmful effect on the wildlife. Also, they may stop visiting the garden owing to the presence of harmful fertilisers. Also, by going organic, the life cycle will go on as the birds will find insects to eat in the garden, the insects will find nectar etc.