Back in the 1960's there was a song about love being elusive and the song referred to love as being like a butterfly. Well, hopefully, we've drawn love to us by now and if we haven't already done so, we can draw butterflies into our backyards, too. This can be fun and entertaining.

The above butterfly twitted around my deck one afternoon and I grabbed my camera to capture it in its fleeting attempt to avoid me.

A few years ago I decided to plant things in the backyard to attract some butterflies. A butterfly bush was one of the 'things' - along with flowering perennials.

Butterflies like puddles of water. Males of several species congregate at small rain pools, forming puddle clubs. Permanent puddles can be easily made by burying a bucket or large jar to the rim, filling it with gravel or sand, and then pouring in liquids such as stale beer, sweet drinks, or just water. Overripe fruit, allowed to sit for a few days, is also an attractive substance. Space these 'natural' sipping containers around the space you want the butterflies to visit. Or you can buy some feeders like this Ruffles Butterfly Feeder Set.

To create a butterfly garden, plant some nectar-producing taller flowers at the back and sides, such as hollyhock, milkweed, lupine, lilies, and goldenrod, followed by medium height flowers of primrose, peonies, daisies, and asters within the taller border.

Next, plant the smaller varieties such as mint, Queen Anne's lace and rock cress; plus annuals of marigold, petunias, and nasturtiums. Of, course, these are just a few suggestions, and don't take it as something you have to have. Use what's available in your own section of the country. Try to keep like colors together.

Planting perennials or seeds now will give you a head-start for next spring and summer. You can get some great stuff at Henry Fields and save $10 on any $30 order!

I happen to like butterflies and if you do, too, there are many decorative butterfly items you can put around your yard 'just for the heck of it'.

Put the above chair or some other lawn furniture nearby and watch as the butterflies enliven your backyard with motion and color.

Happy backyarding.