Create a pollinator-friendly garden accent with this simple butterfly puddler and sunning stone DIY. This easy project supports butterflies by giving them a place to rest and gather essential nutrients.
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Now that the majority of my plants have been purchased for the season, it's time to add those extra special touches to the yard. Along with garden stakes and a new garden statue or two, I've also incorporated mindful decor for wildlife like insect hotels, a bee bath, and most recently, a butterfly puddler and sunning stone.
A butterfly puddler is a shallow dish filled with sand, soil, and water. It provides butterflies with essential minerals and nutrients. A sunning stone gives them a warm place to rest and soak up the sun.
Last year, I had both in our yard. This year, I wanted to combine them into one simple project. So I searched for a stone large enough to combine both purposes and found one in the edging around our yard. It needed to be large enough to function as both a puddler and a sunning spot, but not too thick so it could easily be tucked into the landscape in a sunny, yet sheltered space. A slightly textured stone was ideal, too, allowing it to hold sand, soil, and water in its natural crevices.
I also glued a couple seashells to the stone - both for aesthetic and practical reasons. They add a natural, coastal feel to the stone that fits perfectly into summer decor. Functionally, the shallow shells help catch and hold small pockets of water to give butterflies - and other pollinators - an easy spot to sip while they visit the yard. The textured edges of the shells also give pollinators extra grip as they land.
Seashell Butterfly Puddler and Sunning Stone
With the shells in place, I could have set the stone in a sunny spot in our yard and called it finished. Instead, I decided to give it one final detail. Using a non-toxic outdoor acrylic paint, I added a few simple floral designs along one side of the stone. It was a subtle touch, but it helped tie the piece into the rest of our garden decor while still keeping the main surface natural for the butterflies.
To start this project, I cleaned the stone I found in our yard by rinsing both sides with the garden hose. Then, I set it in the sun to dry. Once it completely dried, I added a dab of heavy duty glue to the underside of my shells, stuck them in place, and let the glue dry.
While the glue dried, I painted simple floral details on the opposite edge of the stone. Then, I let the paint dry before moving on to the final step.
Once the glue and paint were completely dry, I mixed sand, soil, some tiny pebbles, and a pinch of salt together. I added a small amount to the shells as well as around the base of the shells.
Then, I moistened it lightly and placed the stone in a sunny, but sheltered spot near our wild bleeding hearts.
With just a few simple supplies, you can create your own butterfly-friendly garden feature.
SUPPLIES
- 12-16 inch stone, no thicker than 1/2 inch
- Seashells
- Outdoor-safe, heavy duty glue like E6000
- Non-toxic, outdoor acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Soil, sand, and small pebbles
- Water
STEPS
- Rinse the stone well on both sides and allow it to dry completely.
- Glue 2-3 small seashells onto one side of the stone. Allow glue to dry.
- If desired, paint small floral details on the opposite edge of the stone. Allow paint to dry.
- Mix a small amount of soil, sand, and tiny pebbles together. Add a small amount to the shells, as well as around the base of the shells.
- Lightly moisten the mixture. Then, set the stone in a sunny, sheltered spot in your yard.
This simple butterfly puddler and sunning stone DIY project creates a welcoming space for butterflies. It's a small, but mindful addition that allows butterflies to rest and warm their wings and also gather nutrients. Tuck it into a flower bed to make your yard a little more wildlife-friendly this season.
Did you make this Seashell Butterfly Puddler and Sunning Stone project? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
