Sunlight for Butterflies

• Butterflies need a temperature of 85 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit to function properly and fly. This is one of the many reasons you see butterflies more often on sunny days than cloudy days, and in sunny spots more often than shady ones. The more sunshine in your butterfly garden, the more places and time for butterflies to find food, mates and places to lay their eggs.
  
  

Sunlight for Host Plants

• Most plants that attract butterflies also require ample sunlight. South-facing gardens have the longest daytime hours when it's most important, and stay warmer longer. Placing shorter plants closer to pathways and larger plants farther away, takes full advantage of the sun both horizontally and vertically.
  
  

Other Sunny Spots

• It's not just the plants and butterflies of a butterfly garden that need sunlight, but, oddly enough, the rocks and puddles of the garden as well. Butterflies bask on warm stones baking in the morning sun, or on stone or gravel paths -- so watch where you step on that garden path. They also "puddle," or sip at warm, shallow puddles after irrigation or a rain. If there isn't much space on the ground for puddles, very shallow birdbaths placed in a sunny spot will still draw butterflies to sip.
  
  

Shady Areas

• Migrating butterflies that might not expect a sudden intense heat wave can take refuge in shady shrubs near the butterfly garden. Trees and shrubs also block heavy winds, giving butterflies a sheltered area to hunt down nectar and lay their eggs. Not to mention shady areas give visitors enjoying the butterfly a reprieve from sunny days -- when butterflies are most active.