1. A butterfly garden should include plants for the entire life cycle (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly) to attract the greatest number and variety of native butterflies. (See page 41 for ideas!)

   
   

2. Choose a variety of plants that will bloom at different times of the season.
   

   
   

3. Plant the flowers in clusters of each species - clusters are easier for the butterflies to locate than individual plants.

   
   

4. Create a garden with plants in several different colors and flower heights. Experiment with a mixture of annuals, perennials, and herbs.

   5. Provide a variety of caterpillar food plants (see page 41). Caterpillars are picky about the plants they'll eat, and female butterflies only lay their eggs on the caterpillar food plant.

   
   

5. Be sure to include sources of shelter in your garden - trees provide a place for butterflies to perch at night or during cloudy weather.

   
   

6. Plant your garden in a sunny place to increase blooming.

   
   

7. Provide rocks for butterflies to bask in the sun.

   
   

8. Do not use pesticides in or near your garden.

Check with a local nursery to find out more about which combinations of plants are best for your region!

Visit the web site of Life Lab Science Program at http://lifelab.ucsc.edu or call LET'S GET GROWING at 1 (800) 408-1868 to order Life Lab resources (listed below). Life Lab has been helping teachers establish school gardens for over 20 years. Life Lab resources include:

• Getting Started, a booklet that helps you with everything - outdoor classroom design and site selection; strategies for gardening with students; and creating community support that will sustain your school garden program.
  
  Amanda Spiess, 2nd Grade

• The Teacher's Resource Book, available for each grade level, is organized around unit topics that relate to the garden context (soil, water, weather, plants, animals). Its companion piece, the Student Lab Books, prompts budding young scientists to record observations, solve problems, and express themselves through creative writing and drawing.
  
  Devonna Mae Naranjo, 5th grade

• The Growing Classroom, an easy to follow activity guide.