| How to Attract Butterflies to Your Garden Welcome to the enchanting world of butterflies! These delicate creatures add beauty, movement, and ecological benefits to any outdoor space. Follow these simple yet effective tips to make your garden a butterfly haven. |
| Plant Nectar-Rich Flowers Butterflies feed on nectar, so planting various nectar-rich flowers will keep them returning. Here are some top choices: Spring & Summer Favorites: Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) – a butterfly magnet! Verbena – clusters of tiny nectar-rich flowers. Lavender – fragrant and beloved by pollinators. Bugle (Ajuga) – great for ground cover and butterflies. Mint – attracts butterflies while repelling pests. Late-Summer & Autumn Blooms: Daisy – simple, open flowers perfect for butterflies. Red Valerian – loved by butterflies and easy to grow. Coneflower (Echinacea) – excellent nectar source. Bluebells – provides food in shaded areas. Common Mallow – attracts many pollinator species. Honeysuckle – fragrant and a late-season food source. Include Host Plants for Caterpillars While nectar plants attract butterflies, host plants are essential for their entire lifecycle. These are plants where butterflies lay eggs and caterpillars feed before transforming into butterflies. Top Host Plants for Caterpillars: Milkweed (Asclepias) – vital for monarch butterflies. Nettles – a host plant of Red Admirals, Commas, and Peacock butterflies. Parsley, Dill, & Fennel – fantastic for Swallowtail caterpillars. Violets – loved by Fritillary butterflies. Wild Grasses – shelter for Skippers and Satyrs. Willow, Oak, and Elm Trees – host various butterfly species. Choose Heavily Scented Flowers Fragrance plays a crucial role in attracting butterflies. Consider planting: Gardenia – rich scent, attracts various species. Sweet Pea – climbing beauty, fragrant blooms. Lilac – strong scent and nectar-rich. Phlox – great for both butterflies. Goldenrod essential late-season nectar. Freesia – highly aromatic and butterfly-friendly. Create a Butterfly-Friendly Landscape Provide Sun & Shelter Butterflies love warmth and need sunny areas to bask and feed. Plant near hedges, fences, or rocks to provide shelter from strong winds. Add a Butterfly Puddling Area Butterflies don’t just drink nectar—they also drink water and minerals from damp soil or sand. Create a “puddling station” by placing a shallow dish filled with sand, moist soil, and a bit of water. Grow in Layers for Maximum Impact Butterflies love variety! Design your garden with: Low-growing plants like violets and clover. Medium-height flowers like Lavender and daisies. Tall plants like Buddleia and sunflowers. Avoid Pesticides & Chemicals Pesticides harm butterflies and caterpillars. Use natural pest control methods like ladybugs, praying mantises, and companion planting. Extend Blooming Seasons for Year-Round Attraction To keep butterflies visiting for longer, plant flowers that bloom at different times: Spring: Bluebells, Primrose, Violets Summer: Coneflower, Lavender, Buddleia Autumn: Goldenrod, Aster, Sedum These tips will make your garden a butterfly paradise full of colour, life, and movement from early spring to late autumn. Enjoy watching these beautiful creatures flourish in your outdoor space! |
Earthly Comforts 
Great tips Rory
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Thank you for the tips, Rory! 😉
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Thank you also Eugenia 🙂
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You’re welcome, Rory! 😊
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Yes please. And Bees. That would be “the bee’s knees” Or, rather, the Bees’ needs?
😄 Jocelyn
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Well that’s the plan Jocelyn 🙂
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