I was able to participate in a fun event at HVCH this past Friday. The containers from last years container vegetable garden were planted with a mix of plants that are specific attractors to butterflies, either for nectar or forage. Rick Webb from Webb’s Perennials kindly donated the plants, Thanks Rick!
The butterfly knowledge was provided by Butterfly Ridge Butterfly Conservation Center which is located in Hocking Hills. They have some land they are developing with plant species specific to butterflies and other pollinators.
Here is my favorite species of butterfly
It was a fun event. The plan will be release of butterflies over the season into the protected courtyard so they can eat and then lay eggs. Then after the caterpillars hatch they have forage to eat to mature into butterflies to continue on their journey. The courtyard is a pleasant place for patients and staff to relax and this will make it even better.
I am looking forward to helping care for the butterfly garden this season and you will see me there periodically. I also look forward to partnering with Butterfly Ridge to host programs at their center to provide educational programming later this summer. I will let you all know about that once we get the details finalized.