12 0417 294 778 A Touch of Grass Garden Care GARDEN CLEANUPS / REJUVENATION & MAKEOVERS A SPECIALTY We offer an experienced, professional and reliable service Call Jeremy on ... Est. Gold Coast since 2001 Let us create your new and rejuvenated garden where you can sit back, relax and enjoy your tranquil surroundings ... Specialising Garden Makeovers & Rejuvenation * Garden Care * Plant Selection * Soft Landscaping Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, Rosser Park, 232 Ashmore Rd, Benowa Visit www.friendsgcrbg.org.au or www.facebook.com/friendsgcrbg Meadow Argus Junonia villida flies close to the ground. Plant native grasses, ground covers, and paper daisies including Scaevola and Goodenia. Blue Tiger Butterflies migrate from North Queensland to SE Qld, (and back) often in massive numbers. Gardening by Kate Heffernan Honorary Life Member Friends of GCRBG, Botanic Garden Consultant Threatened in their natural habitat the larvae of Richmond Birdwing Butterflies eat one specific vine which is also threatened in the wild in Queensland. This butterfly will feed on the nectar of gums and paperbarks. The Butterfly Garden at the Botanic Gardens is planted with a range of plants necessary for the lifecycle of butterflies. Planted progressively with the support of Gold Coast Bushwalkers and Friends from 2006 it is constantly evolving with newly planted understorey and regular pruning. There are graphic signs scattered throughout the Butterfly Garden, generously supplied by donors, outlining the food source and habits of some of the region’s butterflies. A local butterfly expert leads occasional butterfly tours, on the Gardens Glider or a Walk. The Friends of the Botanic Gardens Nursery at Benowa concentrates on regional plants with a purpose including wildlife habitat, bush foods, screening, shade, and shelter. They have lists of specific plants that suit local gardens. Nursery is open the first Friday of the month 8 –11am or by arrangement. Butterflies are important links in healthy ecosystems Butterflies are a food source for birds, frogs, skinks, and insect parasites. They also help plants reproduce by moving pollen from male to female plant parts. As a reward for pollination, the plants provide butterflies nectar to fuel flight and egglaying. Butterflies have short life cycles. The caterpillar stage often depends on very specific plants, so any change or loss of habitat or an altered growing season affects butterfly populations. Environmental cues such as temperature changes influence reproduction and migration. Butterflies are sensitive to climatic and other changes including land clearing, and because they are easy to see are useful indicators of biodiversity. Attracting butterflies to your garden means growing plants for hungry caterpillars that can consume leaves and sometimes defoliate a plant completely. Don’t despair. If the garden is in the right balance the skeletal plant will soon grow healthy new leaves after its natural prune. Flowers provide nectar for adult butterflies and keeping something in flower throughout the year is important. Plants of varying heights are also important. Flight patterns vary between butterfly species – some, including the Meadow Argus fly close to the ground while the Tailed Emperor perches on leaves or branches a few metres above the ground. Richmond Birdwing Vine Pararastolochia praevenosa A vigorous vine with small yellowblack-edged flowers and orange fruits.
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