Several years ago my Southern Californian front and back yard were the classic lawns with absolutely no butterflies, birds, interesting insects or pleasant fragrances. I planted some native bushes such as mulefat and the bushtit birds starting showing up. These are very small birds that fly in packs and continuously chirp.

I planted a passion vine and the beautiful orange butterflies called Gulf Fritillaries had their chrysalis on the passion vine (not a native California plant and very invasive; these should be grown in pots) and grew into hundreds of butterflies.

From August to November I can walk into the yard and see these butterflies. They are so friendly that when I walk among them they will sometimes land on me. They even land on my cat! I also planted milkweed and the monarch butterflies showed up. When I planted a loquat fruit tree, to my surprise 3 beautiful western tangier birds stayed in the tree for several days. These are very colorful and rather large birds.

It's especially fun for children to have a special garden area for attracting additional wildlife such as birds and butterflies with native plants. Planting native plants, once prevalent but now very rare in California, provides habitat for both common and rare birds, butterflies and beneficial insects for children to observe, which will not come to a typical Southern California landscape.

You and your children can decide which plants you want, plant them together and see the results with the arrival of the birds or butterflies. For help see Las Pilitas Nursery, a California native plant nursery with information about birds, wildlife, butterflies, hummingbirds, nursery, native, plants, gardening and landscaping. The California Native Plant Society also offers information.

While in the garden, ask them what can they see. Point out the birds, the butterflies, the insects, the plants, the trees, the leaves, the sounds and the smells. (It’s important not to use pesticides for the safety of the children, especially when they are young.)

Local nature centers and some parks such as Crystal Cove State Park in Laguna Beach, CA and the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach, CA have native plants. You can purchase native plants at Theodore Payne Nursery, Tree of Life Nursery, and Las Pilitas Nursery.

The North American Butterfly Association may meet in your area... they provide interesting information for you and your children to read and see.

If you have the room, planting a few vegetables or a fruit tree gives children the chance to take responsibility for the plants grown and pick their own food. Children are often more willing to eat healthy foods if they get to pick them.