CAPE MAY — There is a new addition to the Nature Center of Cape May’s (1600 Delaware Avenue) annual “Backyard Habitat Plant Swap” coming up on May 29. This year, participants will enjoy refreshing teas and goodies made from some of the same plants that our winged friends dine upon.
Butterflies depend on many kinds of flowers as food sources. This is where we have something in common with these delicate, winged insects and what gave the nature center’s volunteer Backyard Habitat advisors, the group that organizes the plant swap, the idea for a tea party. Come taste some of the plants, such as fennel, dill, nasturtium, carrot and sassafras, that we find just as tasty as the butterflies do.
In addition to “butterfly teas,” the plant swap will emphasize the importance of caterpillar host plants in encouraging butterfly survival. Butterflies need host plants, such as milkweed for Monarch Butterflies and dill for Black Swallowtails, on which to lay their eggs.
This year the Backyard Habitat advisors hope everyone will plant more caterpillar host plants. You can find a list of “Recommended Caterpillar Foodplants” on NJ Audubon’s website, at http://www.njaudubon.org/Portals/10/BackyardHabitat/PDF/Recommend NectarPlants.pdf.
Butterfly nectar plants are also important, of course, and those are on the list, too.
Participants may drop off plants on Friday, May 28th, and receive a credit voucher to use on Saturday. The “Backyard Habitat Plant Swap” and tea party takes place from 10a.m.-3 p.m. In addition, many extra plants from the nature center’s annual native plant sale will be available for purchase.
For more information, contact the nature center at 609-898-8848.
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