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Butterflies and...Bison? by Toni Leland
Muskingum County Master Gardeners are known for having a finger in many pots, and the Restoration Ecology program at The Wilds is no exception. In 2006, a group of Master Gardeners pooled their energy and tackled designing and planting a Butterfly Garden for the enjoyment and education of visitors to The Wilds.
Through late summer and early fall in 2006, the volunteers researched plants that attract butterflies, made garden plans, then marked and cultivated the 40-foot plot. The hot, dry summer put a hold on planting the garden until spring, but the group continued to work on sources for the plants. Several local nurseries donated specimens, The Wilds contributed some young plants, and members of the Master Gardeners club scoured their own gardens for suitable items.
The job of planting a garden in this environment met some obstacles, the most important two being securing a reliable and accessible water supply, and amending earth that had been severely degraded from surface mining. But this year on May 19th, the garden grew into a reality. Master Gardeners spent that dry, sunny Saturday digging, planting, watering, and mulching over 50 young plants. Visitors to The Wilds had the opportunity to see these hard workers in action, and appreciate the work needed to beautify our public attractions.
What butterflies frequently visit The Wilds? Black Swallowtail, Cabbage White, Clouded Sulphur, Eastern Tailed Blue, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, European Skipper, Great Spangled Fritillary, Least Skipper, Little Wood Satyr, Monarch, Orange Sulphur, Painted Lady, Pearl Crescent, Red-Spotted Purple, Spring Azure, and Viceroy. Dozens of other species appear briefly during the season. Some butterflies also reside as larvae, completing their life cycle at The Wilds.
As the garden matures, the colors will be magnificent: orange, pink, purple, red, yellow, white, and blue will form a rainbow with the many-hued butterflies drifting between the flowers. And the Master Gardeners of Muskingum County will continue to nurture this important piece of horticulture on one of OhioÕs greatest conservation projectsÐThe Wilds. Be sure to add it to your summer travel plans.
Want to plant your own butterfly garden? Choose from this list kindly provided by our Master Gardeners. Black-eyed Susan: tall, yellow Blazingstar: tall, purple Butterfly Weed: medium, orange Coreopsis: short, yellow Joe-Pye Weed: tall, pink Milkweed, Swamp or Common: tall, orange Moss Phlox: short, pink New England Aster: tall, blue Ox-eye Sunflower: tall, yellow Purple Coneflower: tall, purple Smooth Aster: medium, blue Stiff Goldenrod: tall, yellow Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot): tall, white, red, or purple Wild Lupine: medium, blue Yarrow: tall, yellow
This article appeared in the Zanesville Times-Recorder on June 4, 2007. ©Toni Leland |
Butterflies are critical components of many ecosystems, and
many species are declining in much of the world. The Wilds initially started a
6-acre butterfly habitat in 2003, using it as a vehicle for researching habitat
recovery and butterfly ecology. That habitat has grown to almost 12 acres of
native meadow. The new demonstration butterfly garden is smaller and intended
to serve as a display of which butterfly-friendly plants could be planted in
our area. The garden is located near the main parking lot, and the entrance to
the trail for the butterfly habitat.