Protecting Wildlife for the Future

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THEButterfly Gardening

Hints and tips for attracting butterflies to the garden

Butterflies are some of BritainÕsmost colourful wildlife. Much lovedby children and adults, their highdependency on a limited numberof plants makes them especiallyvulnerable in a changinglandscape where habitats andfood plants are being lost. Thishas unfortunately led to theextinction of some species, whilstothers are in decline.

However, the garden can offerthese enigmatic creatures realhope if a variety of plants aregrown in sunny, sheltered spots.They can also be helped furtherand encouraged to stay longer ifthere are a few ’food plants’ fortheir young.

To help you create a colourful border attractive to butterflies wehave provided a few hints and tipsand a list of suitable plants. Manyof the plants will also be attractiveto bees and other insects. Thesein turn will provide natural food forbirds and bats, especially if a fewnight-scented plants are includedfor nocturnal moths.

Planning a Butterfly Border

Select a siteChoose a sunny, sheltered spot. Butterflies need the sun to warm them upand get them going and enjoy basking in the sun. They will not visit flowersin the shade.

Choose your plantsPick some that flower in spring, summer and autumn to provide acontinuous supply of nectar. Old-fashioned varieties tend to be morenectar-rich, whilst double flowers and new hybrids have very little.

CaterpillarsInclude some food plants for the young; without these butterflies willcontinue to decline.

HibernationThick vegetation will provide cover for butterflies that hibernate in winter.

ColourPlant groups of the same species in 3s or 5s. This will givea strong visual sign to passing butterflies and better scent.

Nettlesin sunny location will host

the caterpillars of the Peacock,Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell

and Comma.

Nectar-rich plants for Butterflies

Spring floweringAlyssum PolyanthusCowslip Grape hyacinthForget-me-not HonestyPrimrose

Summer floweringHyssop WallflowerLavender Lady’s smockMarigolds Field scabiousVerbena ThymeMarjoram GoldenrodBuddleia

Autumn floweringLavender FuchsiaIce plant Russian sageMichaelmas daisies Ivy

Comma on ice plant photo: Richad Burkmarr

Plants for breeding butterfliesSpecies Plants preferred

Peacock Common nettleSmall tortoiseshell Common nettleComma Common nettleRed admiral Common nettleLarge skipper Cock’s foot, False bromeSmall skipper Yorkshire fogDingy skipper Common bird’s foot trefoilLarge white Cabbage family, Nasturtium, Wild mignonetteSmall white Cabbage family, Nasturtium, Hedge mustard, Garlic mustardGreen-veined white Cabbage family, Cuckoo flower, Charlock, NasturtiumOrange tip Cuckoo flower, Garlic mustardSmall copper Common sorrel, Sheep’s sorrelCommon blue Common bird’s foot trefoilPainted lady Thistles, Common nettleWall False brome, Cock’s foot, Yorkshire fog, Wavy hair grassMeadow brown Fescue species, Meadow-grass, BentsRinglet Cock’s foot, False brome, Tufted hair-grass, Common couch

Nectar-Rich Wildflowers for butterfliesLady’s bedstraw KnapweedBetony Lady’s smock/CuckooflowerBird’s foot trefoil Common mallowBluebell Corn marigoldBugle OxlipMeadow buttercup Purple loosestrifeRed campion Ragged robinRed clover St John’s wortWild primrose Field scabiousCowslip TeaselOx-eye daisy ThriftDog violet Wild thymeFeverfew Common toadflaxHarebell Viper’s buglossHerb robert Yarrow

Native flowering and berrying hedge

HibernationWhite, Browns & Blues over-winter as chrysalis.

Painted Lady & Red Admiral migrate to Europe.

Brimstone, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell hibernate in shrubs andbuildings as adults.

Avoid using pesticides inthe garden. They can kill

caterpillars

Knapweed

Sedumspectabile

Marjoram

Mint

BirdÕs foottrefoil

Early floweringcrocuses, grapehyacinths andalliums can besown inbetween

Native flowering and berrying hedge

Buddleia

Goldenrod

NasturtiumHoneysuckle

Honesty

FieldScabious

Lavender

Hyssop

MichaelmasDavis

Living landscapeOur gardens represent a vast living landscape;and with an estimated 16 million gardens in theUK, the way they are managed can made a bigdifference to wildlife.Across gardens and beyond, The Wildlife TrustsÕvision to create A Living Landscape involvesenlarging, improving and joining-up areas ofwildlife-rich land in all parts of the UK. There arenow over 100 inspirational Living Landscapeschemes around the UK, rich in opportunities forsustainability, learning, better health andwellbeing. What is good for wildlife is good forpeople too.

For more information go towww.wildlifetrusts.org

Copyright © The Wildlife Trusts 2009 Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts Registered Charity Number 207238

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Tortoiseshell on corn cocklephoto: Richad Burkmarr

large white caterpillar on nasturtiumphoto: Sue Tatman,

Birds foot trefoilphoto: Sue Tatman