Improving Your Home Landscaping

Child Have ADHD? Reduce Their Symptoms By Planting A Garden To Attract Butterflies

22 April 2016 by Bill Kuhn

According to research, children with ADHD have a reduction in the symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention when they are exposed to nature on a regular basis. But, it can be difficult in today's hustle and bustle society to get your children outside and in nature on a regular basis, right? After all, there's more to being exposed to nature than simply being outside.

Fortunately, you can bring nature right to your backyard by growing a butterfly garden. That way, your child can get a healthy dose of nature at any time. Here's what you need to know to grow a beautiful garden that will attract beautiful butterflies.

Pick the Perfect Spot

The location for your butterfly garden is very important. You want to make sure the area has moderate sunlight so the harsh sun doesn't burn their wings. However, there needs to be enough sunlight to warm stones for them to rest on.

It also needs to be protected from the wind so the butterflies are able to rest and nourish themselves. Harsh wind can be harmful to delicate wings and can make it difficult for butterflies to stay steady when getting nectar from flowers.

Give them What they Need

Just as with all living things, butterflies have a few essentials that they need in order to live and thrive. By providing these essentials, you will naturally attract butterflies to your garden and they'll want to stay because all of their needs will be met.

• Nectar. Nectar from flowers is food for the butterflies and is how you will attract them. It's important to know that different butterfly species are attracted to different flowers, but this should also be based around the species of butterflies are in your region.
• Host plants. Caterpillars don't feed from nectar. They feed off of the leaves of host plants. So you'll also need to plant a few host plants for your garden for the next generation of butterflies.
• Water. All living things need water, including butterflies. For butterflies to be able to drink water safely, they should have puddles available. There shouldn't be any strong current or movement in the water or the butterfly may get swept underwater. An indented stone can provide enough water for your butterfly garden, but you may need to replenish it every so often when the water evaporates.
• A place to rest. Butterflies need to rest their wings occasionally. Ideally, a few smooth stones centered in between the various flowers and host plants will make a great location for them to rest while keeping them interested in staying in your garden. Be sure the stones get sunlight so the butterflies have a warm place to rest in the evenings when temperatures are cooler.  

Contact a landscaping contractor, such as Bill and Dave's Landscape, for more information about choosing the right plants to attract butterflies in your area, or to get help from a professional in creating a butterfly garden for your family.   

Keep It Natural

Since you're planting a butterfly garden as a way to bring nature to your backyard to help with your child's ADHD symptoms, it's a good idea to keep it natural. Do not use chemicals or pesticides to control weeds and insects in case your child wants to get up close and personal with the plants, butterflies, and caterpillars. Of course, teach your child to not injure the butterflies or damage the flowers and plants they need for survival.

Along with attracting butterflies to your garden you'll also attract bad insects that will want to eat your plants. To combat this, you or your landscaping contractor can purchase good insects from a garden center, such as lady bugs and beetles.

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