April is National Garden Month.

The end of March looked more like the beginning of gardening season here in Vermont. April is another story! We had a day of snow on Monday and with the bitter cold temperatures it looks more like winter now. However, according to the Internet, April is National Garden Month!

How can we celebrate? Why not create a butterfly garden this year. Here are a few plants that will attract not only butterflies but honeybees and other pollinators as well.

Butterfly Bush. This is a large arching shrub that produces masses of flowers from midsummer to fall. Unfortunately this bush does not do well where I live.

Coneflowers. Coneflowers are colorful and carefree. There are numerous species and the sizes range from 12 inches to 4 feet. I love the coneflowers in my garden!

Milkweed and goldenrod are also good plants to attract butterflies. While you may not want these flowering plants in your formal garden find some room along the edge of your property to allow these plants to grow.

Above all don’t use pesticides or buy plants that have been treated with pesticides. Caterpillars eat their host plants and if the plants have pesticide residue on them the caterpillars will sicken and die. They will never form into butterflies. Pesticides also make birds sick and bees will take the residue back to their colonies and die. Instead try cutting off the affected plant parts or if you must use an organic treatment and use it late in the day when the pollinators are not as active.

Have fun getting out in your garden this month! Visit a community garden near you or a park. Remember that gardens are not just a beautiful place for people to visit but they are critical habitats for pollinators like bees, bats, birds, beetles, butterflies and other animals. Do your part to make your garden a healthy habitat!

Be sure to visit the blog on Friday as I will be hosting a giveaway for Mary’s Heirloom Seeds!