Growing plants that attract butterflies is a sure-fire way of engaging youngsters in the garden, and it invites discoveries about pollination, insect life cycles, and the interdependence of insects and plants. The first step is understanding what makes butterflies tick at different stages of their life cycle.

You need only a small garden bed to create an inviting oasis for butterflies. Both butterflies and plants like sun so plan your garden with a southern exposure or in a site that gets at least six hours of sun each day. The site should be sheltered from winds to keep plants from blowing over and allow your butterflies to feed, mate, and lay eggs in relative tranquility. Here are other features to include:

• Plant plenty of nectar- and pollen-rich flowers.
• Provide food sources (host plants) and overwintering places for eggs and larvae.
• Provide water.
• Avoid using pesticides and herbicides.
• Include dark stones in your garden to provide a warm spot where adult butterflies can bask in the sun and warm their bodies for flying.
• Provide sites and materials for nesting and overwintering.