Attracting Brimstone Butterflies

[AshLee]

Last spring I was amazed to see a Brimstone butterfly in the garden. I live in North London and have never seen this species before in the area where I live.

I'd like to plant a species of Buckthorn this year ready and waiting for next spring, in case my luck should be in again. Does anyone know which species of Buckthorn this butterfly prefers? How many plants should I try to grow? And is there anything else I should consider?

Thanks in advance

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Ash,yes Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.The Millennium Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland,has this to say "Although some literature suggests a preference for sunny,sheltered positions,research indicates a preference for isolated young trees in sunny,relatively exposed positions near ride edges.Young trees may provide more nourishing food with lower toxin levels".Another thing to consider is cover for the hibernating adults such as Holly and Ivy.Hope this is useful.

[AshLee]

Thanks Jason, that's interesting

I have the sunny position, but no ridge unfortunately The holly and ivy thing is not a problem. Several cuttings from a beautiful ivy that I found growing on Hampstead Heath have taken over one wall. And my Holly is growing from strength to strength.

Anyway, I'll order some Buckthorn plants. I'm getting excited just at the thought of designing the layout. And although my venture may not be successful, I can but try

Thanks again,

Ash

[Jason Claxton]

Yeh best of luck with it AshLee,Im glad you are taking a realistic approach with this project.The fact that you rarely see them near you,is a dampener.But as you say, we can only but try.Cheers Jason.

[Jim Ford]

If you do plant a buckthorn I suggest you avoid the berries, of which has been said:

"the beries do purge downwards mightily flegme and choller"

Unless of course you actually want to be purged "downwards mightily"!
;^)

Jim

[AshLee]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

If you do plant a buckthorn I suggest you avoid the berries, of which has been said:

"the beries do purge downwards mightily flegme and choller"

Unless of course you actually want to be purged "downwards mightily"!
;^)

Jim

LOL
I wonder if it would help with my fitness regime - might give it a go, cheers Jim

[Johnny Redgate]

I'm sure I remember reading a scientific paper a few years back where the range of Brimstone was effectively extended by planting Buckthorn/Alder Buckthorn outside its known distribution (I think on the Lleyn Peninsula in N Wales). Wandering adults were attracted and successfully bred. I ought to try and find the paper again I guess.

[AshLee]

Interesting to hear that Johnny. Thanks for the info., it's encouraging

At the moment I cannot choose between the two Buckthorns. Alder has more interesting autumn colour and (more importantly) has male and female flowers on the one plant, but likes to grow in marshy peat. A Common Buckthorn plant could be either male or female, so I'm unsure how many plants to plant. But it suits the soil better, I think

I'll see if I can find a database to suggest the species that would occur naturally at this post code (I think there is one on the internet somewhere).

[AshLee]

I should just add that I am hoping for a multifunctional plant that attracts other wildlife such as birds (should the Brimstones not turn up; hence my desire for fruit)

[Susie]

i grow alder buckthorn. The autumn colour is lovely and the flowers are attractive to bees. It grows happily on very poor clay which is rock hard in summer and waterlogged in winter. Never having seen a brimstone in the garden before this year i had them laying on the buckthorn here. I would recommend it.