Butterfly berm
The butterfly berm is an easy family project with colorful, nectar-rich natives such as New Jersey tea, prairie blazing star and butterfly weed. Add a shallow saucer or old birdbath filled with sand, gravel and water for a butterfly “watering hole.” Berms in general are good design elements for an urban or suburban yard. These independent beds can be created in a day or a weekend by adding a low mound of topsoil. It’s best if there is no vegetation growing in the area where the berm will be placed. This gives you an immediate clean slate, and the slight elevation really sets off plants.
Legend
- Buttonbush
- New Jersey tea
- Rose verbena
- Purple coneflower
- Aromatic aster
- Prairie blazing star
- Butterfly weed
- Lanceleaf coreopsis
- Downy phlox
- Shining blue star
Hashed purple circle is butterfly watering hole.
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
- New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus)
- Rose verbena (Glandularia Canadensis)
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
- Aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)
- Prairie blazing star (Liatris pycnostachya
- Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
- Lanceleaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolate)
- Downy phlox (Phlox pilosa)
- Shining blue star (Amsonia illustris)
Native American Seed pricing
1: Button Bush, 1 pkt. – $6
2: New Jersey Tea – Not available
3: Rose Verbena (Pink Evening Primrose), 1 pkt. – $3
4: Purple Coneflower, 1 pkt. – $3
5: Aromatic Aster – Not available
6: Prairie Blazing Star, 1 pkt. – $6
7: Butterfly Weed, 1 pkt. – $3
8: Lanceleaf Coreopsis, 1 pkt. – $3
9: Downy Phlox – Not available
10: Shining Blue Star – Not available
If 9’Lx4’D, every 2” deep would be another 6 ft3. So you would need:
Mulch: 3 bags
Soil: 6 bags
Edging: ~$20 for 25’-40’
Lots of seeds!