1. Use no pesticides. They kill monarchs just as surely as they kill oak worms.

2. You may not have space to set aside for a proper butterfly garden. Work some butterfly plants into your existing beds.

3. Adult butterflies sip nectar. The caterpillars eat leaves. Try to provide food for all life stages.

4. Let some of the grass go to seed. The skippers fly over, dropping their eggs into it. The butterflies don’t mind the weed whackers and lawn mowers, but the caterpillars do.

5. Some of the butterfly plants like shade, but the butterflies lay their eggs in the sun. Put these plants in a spot that gets sun for an hour or two in the afternoon.

6. Some butterflies like to sip the juice of rotting fruit. Consider leaving some out for them.

7. Some butterflies like to sip water from wet muddy areas. Perhaps a buried garbage can lid could provide such a spot in the yard.

8. Plant generously. It is difficult for butterflies to find just one plant.

9. Butterflies sit in the sun to warm up before they fly. A few dark boulders for basking are a worthwhile addition.

10. And most important of all, remember to make room for a comfortable place to sit on a sunny afternoon to watch the butterflies eat and court and lay eggs.

Each plant is followed by the name of the caterpillar that feeds on it in italics. Plants with no name are nectar sources.