So, you want Attract Butterflies? And bees? Good call. Not only do they make your garden look like a scene straight outta a Disney movie, but they also keep your plants happy by pollinating everything in sight.

I learned this the hard way after planting an entire bed of tomatoes and wondering why they looked… sad. Turns out, no pollinators = no tomatoes. So, I did what any sane person would do—I turned my backyard into a butterfly paradise. (Okay, more like a butterfly Airbnb, but still.)

Here’s how you can Attract Butterflies and their buzzy, stripey counterparts to your own garden.

Step One: Bribe Them With Flowers

Think of Attract Butterflies and bees like tiny, flying foodies. They’re not stopping by unless you’ve got the good stuff. And no, your neatly mowed lawn doesn’t count.

Pick the Right Plants

Attract Butterflies and bees aren’t picky, but they do have favorites. Here’s what you need:

• Milkweed (Monarchs love it. Also, fun fact: it’s mildly toxic, so maybe don’t snack on it.)
• Lavender (Smells great, looks fancy, bees lose their minds over it.)
• Sunflowers (They literally turn their heads toward the sun—iconic.)
• Bee Balm (It’s got “bee” in the name, so that’s a good sign.)
• Butterfly Bush (Obvious choice. Like putting out free pizza at a party.)

I planted lavender last summer and within a week, it was like a bee convention in my backyard. The downside? My dog decided he also loves lavender and rolled in it every day. Smelled great. Looked insane.

Go Big or Go Home

A single flower? Cute, but useless. Attract Butterflies and bees want buffets, not snacks. Plant flowers in big, colorful clumps instead of spreading them out like you’re rationing nectar.

• Spring bloomers: Crocus, lilac, bluebells
• Summer stars: Zinnias, daisies, lantana
• Fall favorites: Goldenrod, asters, marigolds

Basically, make sure there’s something blooming at all times. Otherwise, your pollinator guests will check out early.

Step Two: Make It Comfy

Flowers = food. But would you go to a restaurant with no chairs? Exactly.

Water, But Make It Cute

Attract Butterflies don’t do deep pools of water. They need shallow dishes with pebbles to perch on, like tiny spa loungers. You can use:

• An old plate (bonus points if it has a floral pattern—extra inviting).
• A birdbath with a few flat rocks in it.
• A shallow dish of muddy water (I know, sounds gross, but Attract Butterflies love it).

Give Them a Place to Crash

Attract Butterflies need a spot to hide from wind, rain, and, you know, life. Shrubs, tall grasses, or even a pile of logs will do the trick. Bees, on the other hand, are into real estate. You can DIY a bee hotel (drill some holes in wood and call it a day) or just buy one like a normal person.

One time, I left an old wooden crate outside, and a whole squad of bees moved in. Did I panic? Briefly. But then I realized I had a bee penthouse in my backyard.

Step Three: Don’t Poison Your Guests

Pesticides = Instant Eviction

You can’t invite Attract Butterflies and bees to your garden and then spray chemicals all over the place. That’s like hosting a dinner party and poisoning the food. If pests are a problem, try:

• Neem oil (Smells weird, works great.)
• Companion planting (Basil next to tomatoes = fewer pests, plus free pesto.)
• Ladybugs (Yes, they eat aphids. No, they won’t pay rent.)

Go Organic

Skip the synthetic fertilizers. They mess with nectar production, and if your flowers aren’t producing good nectar, the Attract Butterflies will talk. Use compost, manure, or—if you’re fancy—organic plant food.

Speaking of compost, I tried making my own once. Rain. Mud. A shovel. That’s how my composting disaster began. Let’s just say my neighbors had questions about the smell.

Step Four: Set the Mood

Bright Colors = “Come Hang Out” Sign

Attract Butterflies and bees have favorite colors. Turns out, they like:

• Yellow & Orange (Marigolds, sunflowers, black-eyed Susans.)
• Purple & Blue (Lavender, salvia, hyssop.)
• Red & Pink (Zinnias, petunias, bee balm.)

I once planted an entire row of red zinnias, and it was like throwing a block party for pollinators. 10/10, would recommend.

Keep It Sunny

Attract Butterflies are basically solar-powered. They need warm, sunny spots to chill. Trim trees, clear out shady spots, and make sure your flowers are in the sunshine.

Step Five: Let It Get a Little Wild

Messy = Good

A perfectly manicured lawn? Boring. Attract Butterflies and bees prefer a little chaos. Let some wildflowers grow, don’t cut back everything in fall, and maybe—just maybe—embrace the weeds. Dandelions? Free food. Clover? Bee heaven.

Tina, my neighbor, once let her backyard “go wild” for the summer. By August, it looked like a National Geographic documentary, and she swore her kale patch cured her Zoom fatigue. Honestly? I believe her.

Herbs Are Secret Weapons

Want to Attract Butterflies and have an herb garden? Win-win. Try:

• Basil (Tastes great, attracts bees.)
• Thyme (Super low maintenance.)
• Rosemary (The smell of Walmart’s parking lot rosemary still haunts me.)
• Mint (Bees love it. Also, mojitos.)

Fun fact: Victorians believed talking to plants made them grow better. I talk to my basil just in case.

Step Six: Keep the Party Going

Butterfly Feeders = Extra Credit

Want to be extra? Make a butterfly feeder. All you need is:

• Overripe fruit (Bananas work best. They’ll get weirdly gross.)
• A shallow dish or sponge soaked in sugar water.
• A safe spot away from ants.

I tried this once, and it was like opening an all-you-can-eat buffet for Attract Butterflies. Bonus: You get to feel like a butterfly whisperer.

Anyway, Here’s the Kicker…

You don’t need a huge yard or a green thumb to Attract Butterflies and bees. Just plant the right stuff, skip the pesticides, and let things get a little wild. In return? You’ll get a garden full of flowers, happy pollinators, and—if you’re lucky—a dog that smells like lavender.

Now go forth and make your garden the hottest new pollinator hangout in town. 🦋🐝