Butterfly Garden Design

• Provide a combination of adult nectar sources and larval host plants - attracts maximum variety of butterfly species; encourages butterflies to remain in your yard, reproduce and build populations instead of just passing through; allows gardener to appreciate all life history stages.
• Incorporate native plants into the landscape whenever possible - most larval host plants are natives; adapted to region; produces a small but representative extension of the natural ecosystem; attracts other wildlife.
• Create horizontal and vertical heterogeneity - choose plants that have different heights and growth habits; creates numerous microclimates which in turn appeal to a greater diversity of butterfly species; provides shelter; creates levels/strata of feeding opportunities).
• Aim for a consistent host plant and floral venue throughout the growing season - choose plants that have different blooming times; ensures that garden remains attractive and productive as long as possible; provides food for butterflies during periods of low natural availability.

(News Story Continued)
Posted on Thu, Mar 24, 2005

Coconut Creek, Butterfly Capital of the World®, is home to the world's largest butterfly aviary - a zoo, of sorts, for butterflies. South Florida's sub-tropical climate, the City's close proximity to the Everglades and to the coastline, and our well-maintained woodlands, wetlands, fields and glades help make our City an ideal home for an astonishing variety of butterflies including rare species not found anywhere else in the world.

	Top Butterfly Destination Coconut Creek is home to the world's largest butterfly aviary – a zoo, of sorts, for butterflies. Home to over 80 species and 5,000 individual butterflies, Butterfly World in Tradewinds Park is South Florida's top tourist destination!
	Our Environment South Florida's sub-tropical climate, the City's close proximity to the Everglades and to the coastline, and our well-maintained woodlands, wetlands, fields and glades help make our City an ideal home for an astonishing variety of butterflies including rare species not found anywhere else in the world.
	Community Spirit We like to call it butterfly pride. Our annual city festival is called the Butterfly Festival. We also have the 5K Butterfly Run, the Butterfly Parade, butterfly educational activities in our schools, and our new high school is called Monarch High. They're everywhere!
	Official Recognition In April, 2002 the City Commission passed Resolution No. 2002-60 proclaiming the City to be the Butterfly Capital of the World.® The Florida House of Representatives similarly passed House Resolution No. 9001-E recognizing Coconut Creek as home of the world's largest butterfly habitat.
	You Coconut Creek wants you to share in our appreciation of butterflies and hopes you'll use this site to learn more about them. Every time thereafter when you see and admire a butterfly, you'll have helped extend the butterfly capital of the world just a little bit farther.