Radiant, graceful and captivating in their rarity, perhaps nothing paints a picture of paradise like butterflies fluttering around the summer garden.

There are 71 butterfly species that have been observed in Virginia, according to butterflyidentification.org. As habitat loss fuels the decline of bird and insect populations, creating a safe space for pollinators to eat and reproduce can help reverse this trend.

Establishing a thriving butterfly habitat can be as simple as a few potted plants or as expansive as acres of floras—as long as it provides the plant food butterflies need as caterpillars and adults.

Where you live in Virginia, your soil type, light conditions and hardiness zone will guide your plant choices.

Stick with native plant species, as they attract native butterflies, provide the quality food they need, adapt to local climates and conditions—conserving water and reducing chemical use—and promote biodiversity.

Since butterflies stay close to where their larval host plants can be found, consider planting nectar and host plants together, or choosing nectar plants that double as host plants. To keep butterflies coming back to your garden, select plants that provide a succession of blooms the entire season.

Native nectar plants that can be added to the summer garden include blazing star, black-eyed Susans, milkweed, whorled tickseeds, Joe-Pye weeds and old field aster.

For a complete list of nectar and host plants for Mid-Atlantic butterflies and moths, visit mgnv.org/pollinators-and-more/lepidoptera/.

Butterflies will visit nectar flowers that are shaded during part of the day if they have a basking space, so place a flat rock in a sunny spot nearby. They also need refuge from wind and rain, so plant densely, and follow minimum spacing recommendations.

Male butterflies need soil minerals for reproduction. Create a puddling area by placing a shallow dish at ground level, fill it with sand mixed with yard soil, and keep it damp.

Don’t buy plants that have been treated with pesticides, as they can be deadly to butterfly larvae, and avoid using chemicals in and around your garden. Also avoid clearing away dead flowers or foliage on or near host plants, as they may harbor butterfly eggs or feeding caterpillars.

For more tips on habitat features, attracting particular species and things to avoid, read Virginia Farm Bureau’s summer Cultivate magazine, and Virginia Cooperative Extension’s publication, For the Birds, Butterflies & Hummingbirds: Creating Inviting Habitats.