Whatever the size and style of your garden there are several easy tips to help lure butterflies to your borders; not only to visit the garden but to stay. The first thing to remember is that despite their elegance in flight butterflies don’t like to be buffeted by the wind, so create the border in a sheltered and sunny spot as butterflies are attracted by protected warmth. Grow nectar rich blue flowers for adult butterflies to feed on and for longterm inhabitants provide a hibernation shelter for them to over winter in e.g. evergreens such as ivy, piles of dead leaves etc. Come springtime leave a small patch of wild nettles in a corner to act as a butterfly nursery – red admirals, peacocks, small tortoiseshells and commas all lay their eggs on nettles.
Buddleia Davida: the butterfly bush has to be the first gardeners’ first choice. A mainstay for the back of the border. Long panicles of purple, pink or white flowers attract butterflies from mid to late summer. Often dismissed from the garden because of its straggly dominance of scrub land and railway embankment. But if well pruned and deadheaded it creates a healthy mound of silvery grey green leaves and a long succession of glorious flowers.
Recommended Variety: buddleia davida Empire Blue or White Profusion.
Flowering: July – October
Propagation: Semi ripe cuttings in summer.
Globe Thistle (Echinops) : Large spiky blue purple flower heads offer a perfect landing ground for butterflies. Tall erect plant that is great for the back of the border against a backdrop which will set off it’s architectural splendour.
Recommended Variety: Echinops Ritro Veitchs Blue. Smoky blue globe flowers on thin grey green leaves.
Flowering: July – September
Propagation: By root cuttings in winter. Or seed in autumn.
Sedums Spectabile: Common name – Ice plant – lovely flat-headed pink blooms which fade to rusty red as autumn progresses. A particular favourite with small tortoiseshells
Recommended Variety: Sedum Spectabile Brilliant Pale icy pink pincushions flower heads.
Flowering Period: July – October
Propagation: Soft wood cuttings in autumns. Easily rooted.
Evening Primrose( Oenothera): Once regarded as a common farmland weed this lovely bi-ennial has returned to favour. Wiry red stems bear yellow flowers that open as the sun sets. Popular with butterflies and moths.
Recommended Variety: Oenothera Fruticosa fireworks Tall elegant stems carrying a profusion of orangey yellow flowers.
Flowering: June to September
Propagation: Sow seeds in April or May where they are to flower the following year. Thin as required
Michelmas Daisy (Aster Frikarti) : Allows the butterfly border to extend in late autumn early winter.
Recommended Variety: Aster Frikarti Monch – sprays of daisy like lavender blue flower heads with green centres.
Flowering: August – November
Propagation: best by division in spring and autumn
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