A quick-reference guide to attracting birds and butterflies for gardeners with little experience and time. In the eye of a bird or butterfly, the typical suburban landscape resembles an unfriendly desert. Closely mowed lawns, tightly clipped shrubs, raked-up borders, and deadheaded flowers mean no place to nest, no food to eat, and nowhere to hide. To the humans who live there, this means no bird songs, no colorful butterflies, no dazzling hummingbirds, no night-sparkling fireflies. Creating a garden that welcomes these creatures may seem like a confusing and complicated task, but the principles involved are relatively simple. Essentially, wildlife needs food, water, and shelter, just like we do, and this lavishly illustrated guide shows which plants attract which creatures, and how to plant and care for them.

Explains how to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the backyard garden by creating an ideal habitat and provides a field guide to the sixteen hummingbird species and seventy-five common butterfly species that make North America their home.

Helps you create beautiful habitats for the songbirds in your region.

From groundcovers to large trees, from soil requirements to effective seeding and frost-protection strategies, the author catalogues 200 of the best plants for luring hummingbirds and butterflies into even the smallest yards. The book offers helpful tips for beginning and establishing a thriving refuge that is easy to maintain, and the selection of exotic plants are all safe for use in Florida. --

“No matter the size or shape of your growing area, this will guide you through creating a butterfly-friendly space.” —Mother Earth News Welcome the world’s most exquisite visitors to your garden! Gardening for Butterflies, by the experts at the Xerces Society, introduces you to a variety of butterflies who need our help, and shows you how to design a habitat where they will thrive. This optimistic call to arms is packed with everything you need to create a beautiful, pollinator-friendly garden. You will learn why butterflies matter, why they are in danger, and what simple steps we can take to make a difference. You'll also learn how to choose the right plants and how to create a garden that flutters and flourishes with life.

A practical, comprehensive, and thoroughly illustrated guide to attracting birds to any property.

Learn to choose the right combination of plants, shrubs, and trees for your favorite birds. Lanicci also shows you how to select the seed mixes and treats each species finds irresistible.