Summer's Are For
Butterfly Gardens!
July 23, 2025
Chapman Jones
Jack of all trades
It’s summer and the perfect time to get started on a new hobby! One that supports our pollinators, creates a beautiful space for you to enjoy and is the perfect activity to get the littles involved in! This summer is the summer you start your butterfly garden!
A butterfly garden is a thoughtfully designed outdoor space filled with plants that attract, feed, and support butterflies throughout their life cycle — from egg to caterpillar to adult. It’s both beautiful and beneficial, helping support declining pollinator populations while adding color and movement to your garden.
We talked to one of our team members about his butterfly garden and got the tips you need to get started on yours! Chapman Jones has dedicated 11 years at Logan’s, his friendly face and extensive knowledge have become part of Logan’s DNA. Perennials, birds, fashion, opera and so much more; Chapman’s wealth of knowledge never runs short! So when he heard about our blog, he had to sort through so many ideas, but ultimately landed on butterflies!
Once you get Chapman started on butterflies, good luck getting him to stop! The passion he has for these beautiful creatures is palpable. An interest piqued back in the 8th grade and one Chapman has nurtured for decades. When Chapman isn’t at Logan's, you can find him in his butterfly garden, “I’m out there daily, I always want to see who is around, what's blooming and who is invading”.
Butterflies are at risk!
With an increase in habitat loss, worsening climate change and the increased use of insecticides, America's butterflies are endangered. Butterfly populations are down by 22% since 2000 (CNN), with a particular hit to the monarch butterfly, whose population has declined by over 80% in the last three decades (WWF).
Knowing this reality, Chapman urges, “We need to protect them now more than ever. I always push people to make a butterfly garden during the summer. You’re already out there planting, just plant a row for them”.
I want to save the butterflies!
So here are Chapman’s steps to starting your butterfly garden this year!
- Pick out a sunny spot for your garden
Did you know butterflies are cold-blooded? So pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight - Divide the space into two; Host and Pollinator
The host side is for egg laying and caterpillars to feed, while the pollinator side is for adult butterflies - Get planting!
Chapman’s top Host plants:
- Milkweed (Asclepias) for monarchs
- Parsley, dill, fennel and carrot tops for swallowtails
- Passionflower vine for Gulf fritillaries
Chapman’s top Pollinator plants: - Butterfly bush (non-invasive varieties)
- Coneflower
- Garden Phlox
- Goldenrod
- Joe-Pye weeds
- Butterfly bush (non-invasive varieties)
Things To Remember
Butterflies need water, so make sure to leave out shallow bowls of muddy water to allow the butterflies to make a “puddling” area, where butterflies gather for minerals.
And of course, remember to avoid insecticides! Most garden chemicals are harmful to butterflies, especially caterpillars. Go organic or set up physical barriers when possible.
