About
I am an English immigrant and weekend gardener, passionate about New Zealand native and endemic wildlife. I have an opportunity to make my new garden a haven for my family and the birds, reptiles, insects and other wildlife that need food, shelter and safety in the suburbs of Aotearoa's biggest city.
The majority of the advice in English about butterfly gardening is from America. Some is from the UK. There are many sources detailing how to attract their native wildlife with their native and introduced flowers in their climates. It does not translate well to our part of the world.
Neither do we have the numerous varieties of subtropical and tropical butterflies of Australia (lucky ducks). With 90% of our lepidoptera being endemic, we need our own approach. Even then, what I can grow in Auckland, which has a subtropical climate, may not be what is appropriate or even possible further down the country and vice versa. This is Auckland butterfly gardening.
Aims
To establish a successful butterfly garden that also benefits other nectar feeders and to achieve butterfly garden certification from the Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust.
To restore the bush area of the garden, clearing invasive and non-native plants, and adding a broader range of local natives to maximise the natural habitat and food plants.
The garden
The garden being developed is just under 2000sqm of land that sits half a kilometre from the sea on the North Shore of Tāmaki Makaurau /Auckland, in Aotearoa New Zealand. It has a large area of bush, a stream and a long lawn, all on a sloping section. Closer to the house there are raised beds created with retaining walls and courtyard areas.
