| I am a N. Y. C. community gardener with a plot that is 11 feet by 22 feet. I used cinder blocks to divide the plot into four foot squares. I primarily grow vegetables. I use some of the holes of the cinderblocks to grow herbs. Here is my question: May I use these small cinderblock holes to grow plants butterflies and caterpillars would be attracted to, yet wouldn't grow so tall it would shadow my neighbors plot? If not, I could convert one four foot square plot into a butterfly garden. Either way, what should I grow? Or is my space to small for my goals? Secondly, how do I join NGA? |
| You can find small plants suitable for growing in rock gardens to grow in the spaces of your cinder blocks, but you'll attract a much larger population of butterflies if you convert part of your gardening into a butterfly garden. There are a number of plants butterflies love. You can start with the Butterfly weed (Asclepias) and the Butterfly bush (Buddelia). For perennial flowers try growing daisy, mint, phlox and cornflowers. Perennials will bloom only once during the growing season, while annuals will bloom all season long. Annuals to try are tithonia, salvia, cosmos, alyssum and fennel. There are many books on butterfly gardens with designs that are probably available at your local library if you need even more suggestions. Good luck with your butterfly garden! For information on joining the NGA, visit our Web site at: http://www.garden.org |
