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But in truth, a live butterfly garden is actually fairly simple to design. And most of the plants and shrubs that are ideal for butterflies are relatively hardy. If you can dig a hole in some dirt, then you can probably handle this type of garden.
In fact, a lot of people are better off keeping their butterfly garden on the small side to begin with. You can always expand it in the future if it turns out to be something that really captures your fancy.
Start with a simple garden vase ??? a plastic one will do fine but you can be fancier if you like. Terra Cotta is good. The butterflies won't care! Go for a good-sized one ??? at least a foot deep. Add soil and fertilizer and then head down to your local nursery and pick up a dwarf butterfly bush. You can get them in almost any color of the rainbow and they are virtual magnets for moths and butterflies of all kinds. Even ladybugs love them!
The best thing about butterfly bushes is that once they've taken root, they're all but impossible to kill. Set your potted bush in the sunlight. Once the warm days of summer are upon you, you're likely to see a number of butterflies paying a visit. Depending on your location, you are going to attract many different species as well.
It can seem too tiny, of course. How does one bush in a vase constitute a garden? But the goal is to get the ball rolling. Once you're hooked ??? and know that you can do it ??? you can expand your efforts considerably.
