The possibilities are endless on what you can plant on the green roof of your urban chicken coop!  How about plants that attract butterflies!  These nectar rich flowers would not only add beauty but little fluttering visitors. 

You will need to plant two types of food for your butteflies.  Plant tissue (like small shrubbery) for when they are caterpillars and nectar-rich flowers for when they are winged adults.  I suggest planting the shrubbery and tall perennials on the ground around your Kippen House chicken coop and some annual flowers, herbs or shallow depth perennial flowers on your garden roof!

Following are some suggestions that are suitable for caterpillars;
Picture
hollyhock
Picture
violet
Picture
clover
Picture
aster
Plant a variety of flowers that are able to provide nectar from Spring to Fall.  Butterflies also prefer the colors purple, orange, yellow and red.  Below is a visual list of some nectar-rich flowers that adult butterflies are jonesing for;
purple coneflower
purple coneflower
Picture
cosmos
Picture
marigold
Picture
oregano
Picture
petunia
Picture
zinnia
Your selection of flowers and herbs will also benefit your chickens!  From this list, they love marigolds, clover, violets and hollyhocks.  A bonus to having your garden on the roof of your Kippen House chicken coop is these flowers will be free from being devoured by your chickens when you let them roam free in your yard...but will also allow you to offer them as treats at your will.

This is a great site for getting specific suggestions on what flowers to plant that attract butterflies in your region of the country.  They also list what types of butterflies to look for in your area.  The butterfly site
Add Comment