Butterfly on Flowering Container

Has the bug to attract wildlife just bitten you? Or has circumstances overrun your plans for wildlife this year?

Although we're past spring migration, the major nesting season, and the start of the container gardening season, you can still start attracting wildlife today.

Quick Start

1. For birds, fill a saucer more than 8 inches in diameter with water. Place it in your small outdoor space and weigh it down with a rock or brick to protect from high winds. Fill often.
2. For butterflies, buy a container pre-planted with flowers -- the one you see butterflies or bees enjoying in the garden center
3. For birds, buy a squirrel-unfriendly hanging feeder and fill it with quality black oil sunflower seed

The Details

1. Provide Water

Cast Iron Cranes Birdbath with Water Wiggler

Add a birdbath, fountain, or a shallow, water-filled saucer to your patio, porch, balcony, or deck to attract wild birds.

You can use the saucer for a plant container weighed down with a rock or brick, or buy a more elegant birdbath or other water feature at a wild bird store, home improvement store, nursery, or other retailer online or near you.

Other water features, like drippers and misters, are also available.

2. Provide Flowering Plants

At this time of year, garden centers, grocery store chains, and some retailers offer pre-planted baskets and containers.

The right flowering plant will attract the butterflies in your area.

The easiest way to pick the right flowering plant: browse the selection on a sunny day. If you see butterflies, or even bees, favoring certain plants, that's what you want.

If you don't spot any pollinators or are in a hurry, pick one or more of the plants I've listed that attract butterflies.

3. Bird Feeders and Seed

Offering birds seed through a feeder seems like the easiest choice, and in some ways, it is.

However, buying, placing, and taking care of a feeder can be tricky for long-term enjoyment. You want a quality feeder the squirrels won't chew to pieces and the flock of grackles or starlings won't empty in a heartbeat.

You want a feeder easy to clean in your small space, and you want quality seed, not the stuff with cheap filler that makes more of a mess.

Check out the articles on feeders, or just buy one of the following combinations:

1. Metal caged bird feeder with black oil sunflower seed
2. Hummingbird Mobile with nectar
3. Peanut Mesh Sphere with shelled peanuts