Whilst it’s easy to associate butterflies with quintessentially English gardens, even the smallest of London plots can be a haven for butterflies attracting flowers and plants.
The epitome of a British summer garden is a colourful scene full of flowers that appear to try and outdo each other, a chorus of flowers in a border that slowly emerge, display their frills and then relax back and allow one of their colleagues to take over. But the scene isn’t complete without the sideshows, nature coming to visit. And what’s more beautiful than a cartoonish fluttering of butterflies as they flap down to rest on the long spikes of Buddleia flowers which are now dotting the landscape, hungrily feeding on the sweet nectar?
We’re passionate about them in this country. And it's easy to encourage butterflies into our gardens by simply planting species that they love. But you must also look after the butterfly through all its stages from larvae to caterpillar to colourful fluttering fashionistas.
The organic method of gardening will produce the best results in this regard so avoid using chemical sprays and pesticides. Secondly, a more relaxed approach to what you might otherwise think of as weeds. For examples, nettles are a wonderful breeding ground for the larvae as are thistles, docks, sorrel weed and meadow grasses. So consider leaving a little patch of your garden uncultivated which the weeds will colonise quickly.
So what plants should you include? The aforementioned Buddleia is otherwise known as the Butterfly bush and is one of the most reliable attractors. Other shrubs you could consider include lavender, escallonia, hawthorn, blackberries, pyracantha, heathers and hebes. They love native plants so loosestrife, valerian, dandelions, buttercups, angelica, teasel and clover will signal your garden as wildlife friendly zone.
And you can include in your borders and bedding a host of colourful perennials and annuals – choose from cornflowers, heliotrope, verbena, solidago, alyssum, echinacea, sedums, aubretias, calendulas, asters, zinnias and dianthus.
Britain has 58 species of butterflies but recent reports show that 72% of butterfly species declined in abundance over ten years and distributions of 54% of butterflies fell, many sharply. So if you want to help the conservation efforts, you can start in your own back yard!
For more information about different varieties of plants, take a look at the Royal Horticultural Society's handy plant guide!
Diarmuid has been working his magic at Park SW20 in Raynes Park creating beautiful and practical gardens for children and adults alike, view these truly unique properties here.
