Attracting butterflies - and bees - to your garden

Many people are seeing the advantages of a "butterfly garden" - a garden that attractsbutterflies byits scents and flowers - but not as many are convinced of the benefits of attracting bees. However, the garden that attracts butterflieswill also attract bees- and that's a good thing!
Why?
Because a garden that is healthy enough to attract butterflies will also attract bees. In fact, a garden that is healthy and natural will attract a wide variety ofbeneficial insects and birds.Bees also pollinate plants - nature's way ofensuring that plants continue to reproduce. Although other insects can do the same thing, bees are very efficient at it. And what is great is that many of the same plants that attract butterflies also attract bees, such as flowering plants like butterfly bush and purple coneflower,and herbs like mint andcatnip. Any plant that flowers would be good to attract beesto the garden.And letting the garden go a little wildalso helps, because the insecticides and pesticides put on gardens to"control" it tend to kill butterflies and bees, and they are harmful to humans as well. (After all, you have noticed that you're not allowed to go on grass that's been treated, right? There's a reason for that!) Some wildflowers attract both, and they will grow under stressful conditions. So not only is a butterfly and bee garden good for the environment, but it is also a low-maintenance garden as well! Once it is up and running, there is usually minimal weeding (especially if you mulch pathways very well and let the rest go a little wild, much like an English cottage garden).This is good for those who have busy schedules or physical limitations that prevent them from going out in the garden much. Lastly, bees give us honey as well as pollination. Who doesn't like honey? And if we attract bees to our gardens so they can get the pollen they need, they will be able to produce the honey we want.
Sweetness, pollination, and the soft, relaxing drone of bees as well as the bright flitting of butterfly wings - doesn't it sound wonderful? So before you decidewhat kind of gardenyou'd like to plant, consider the benefits of a butterfly - and bee - garden!