Bring on the butterflies
USE THIS SEASON OF RAIN AND SUN TO PLANT FOR THESE WINGED CREATURES Sow your flowering seeds now to enjoy these Easter delights.
Easter is usually associated with bunnies and Easter eggs but how about planting for Easter butterflies instead? Our rainy January has created the perfect conditions for sowing some quick flowering annuals that will be at their best by the end of March and April. Seeds germinate easily in soft, wet soil and seedlings thrive with alternating showers and hot sun.
Here’s a quick reminder of why butterflies are so important for our planet.
Next to bees, they are our most efficient pollinators – they help flowers, vegetables and fruit to produce seeds.
As caterpillars, they play a role in increasing biodiversity by attracting birds, bats, lizards and spiders who feed on them.
They are indicators of environmental health because they are so sensitive to habitat and climate change.
Besides that, butterflies are beautiful to observe, reminding us of the wonders of nature. World-famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough believes that the simple act of watching butterflies in a home garden is good for our mental health.
Marlaen Straathof of Kirchhoffs seeds reminds us that seeds sown by end-January still has four months to grow and flower.
Here are her recommendations for some quick summer into autumn annuals to sow for butterflies:
Alyssum “Snow Carpet” is a low-growing ground cover that’s covered with tiny, fragrant, white flowers that are a magnet for bees and butterflies. It is free-flowering and performs even better as the weather cools. Make space for it along borders and edgings, in mixed containers and rockeries.
Sow directly where the plants are to grow and thin out to 10cm between plants. It will flower 45 days from germination.
“Cosmos Sensation Mixed” produces graceful showy flowers up to 90cm high that bloom until the first frost. This easy-to-grow flower tolerates poor soil and hot, humid conditions. Sow seed directly into the flowerbed and thin out later. Generally, one gram of seed is needed per square metre. Cover the seed lightly and keep moist during germination.
The large flowers in shades of pure white to purplish-pink with a yellow centre provide an airy background for borders and can be picked for the home. Remove dead flower heads to prolong flowering.
Asters are an old-fashioned favourite and “Single Rainbow
Mixed” consists of fragrant single flowers in a range of colours including blue, purple, rose, pink and scarlet, all with a yellow centre. These tall 60cm-70cm plants produce stems of pickable flowers that last well in the garden and in the vase. They are easy to grow from seed and plants should be spaced 25cm apart.
Cornflowers are another oldfashioned garden flower although “Polka Dot Mixed” is a dwarf variety, growing to just 30cm-45cm high, half the size of regular cornflowers.
This frilly pastel blooms in shades and colours from white to pale-pink and blues, to purples and plums. They make charming flower bouquets and posies.
Marigold “Bonita Choice Mixed” is a dwarf French marigold that is great for gardens and containers in full sun. The mix of yellow, red and bicoloured crested blooms on compact plants are magnets for butterflies.
These hardy bedding plants are quick to flower and thrive in hot conditions.
There are two varieties of zinnias that are very easy to grow from seed. “Thumbelina Mixed” is a midget zinnia growing up to 15cm high and with small, semi-double and single flowers.
This All-America Selections winner is a compact, domeshaped plant that is suitable for pots, low beds and edgings. It blooms until the first frost.
“Lucky Day Mixed” is a taller zinnia (60cm tall) with extra-large dahlia-type flowers on strong, sturdy stems. It is an excellent cut flower. Water well around the base of the plant during dry weather and avoid overhead watering.