whites. Over the last couple of years however apart from these we have had visits
from Comma's, Small Skipper's, Essex Skipper's, Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell's, Green veined
white's, Brimstone (only once or twice though) Peacock's, Gate Keepers and Holly blue's.
Butterflies prefer to feed in sunny sheltered areas out of the wind, so bare that in mind if you are wanting to bring more butterflies into the garden. Butterflies need a certain amount of warmth before they become active. Often I see them basking on our white painted wall in the sunshine. 2006 was a great year for butterflies, probably as it was a very hot dry summer. 2007 just wasn't as good, we seemed to have constant wind and a lot of rain between the good days.
A lot of the butterfly attracting plants I have planted are also a favourite with,
moths, bees and hoverflies. I have Lavender, Monarda, Red Valerian, Knautia, Verbena
bonariensis, Malva, Eupatorium, Scabiosa, Foxgloves, Origanum, Echinops, Echinacea, Rudbeckia and sedum.
Pyracantha blossom are a favourite with the Holly Blues, these are usually the first butterflies in the garden apart from Red Admirals. They are small and usually rest with their wings closed. They lay their eggs on holly and ivy -both which we have in the garden.
I planted Cardamine pratensis last year in the hope to attract orange tip butterflies as this is their food plant, but as yet I haven't seen any around.
Of course buddleia is an absolute favourite, it isn't called the butterfly bush for nothing. I have white profusion, Peacock (dwarf variety) and Pink delight all in pots and Black Knight which is planted in the ground and of course has grown the tallest. I have also a B. globossa with round yellow globe like flowers, red admirals really loved them but they didn't produce many flowers last year.
Early flying Red Admirals have appreciated the Viburnum Dawn blossom in the past.
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I have tried to plant so there are suitable flowers right through the butterfly season from spring to autumn. When butterflies come out of hibernation Spring flowers and their nectar are vital. Then Autumn flowers help butterflies build up their reserves for winter. Plant original species as they provide much more nectar than hybrids. I prolong flowering by deadheading, but then leave the last flowers to go to seed for the birds or over wintering places for insects. Well-watered plants will produce far more nectar.
I read that butterflies like to have a "muddy puddle" to get crucial vitamins.
So I mixed dirt and a little sand with water in a plant pot saucer, put stones at
one side so that the butterflies could rest on the warm stones and drink. I've
kept it wet, put it by the butterfly plants in the sun and as yet I've not noticed
one butterfly use it. I have kept it there though as there is strange water life
living in it and plants have started to grow in it. If ever a weary butterfly stops
for refreshment, it will be there waiting!
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