Top 5 shrubs and perennials

[Cotham Marble]

I think Paul has this right and I would generalise about plant choice in saying that the labiates as a family are the key source for generalist feeders amongst UK butterflies.

The defining choice is not so much nectar richness as flower shape - if the creature can't access the nectar then it doesn't matter how much is there. Buddleja clearly has a strong reputation for attracting butterflies but I've not seen any analysis as to species, time in season etc and my prejudice is that only a few species are attracted, and that the numbers are noticeable only in areas that anyway have a high butterfly population.

As to recommendations - I've watched over the last five years how Gatekeepers, Wall Browns, and Whites ignore my neighbour's buddleja and feed on the lavenders and marjorams in my garden. Different lavenders can be selected to achieved a long flowering season and would always be my first choice.

Other considerations include food plants for caterpillars - a pot of nettles (also nectar for some adults) and some nasturtiums are a good start, plus something to support aphids, for speckled wood adults which feed on the honeydew. Garden structure is also a consideration - a narrow strip of lawn against a fence or hedge in dappled shade attracts Speckled Woods, the same in an open aspect attracts Orange Tips and Gate Keepers.

As others have pointed out various grassland plants are important nectar sources, not least of these is clover but the marjorams are the easiest to incorporate in garden beds to which I would add a non invasive mint - Wild Basil Clinopodium vulgare.

CM

[paddy]

I planted a butterfly/bee border last year, so don't know how it's gonna do, but i used:
Centranthus niger and ruber;
echinops ritro (globe thistle);
aster nova-belgii and nova-anglii;
aster macrophyllus;
sedum spectablile;
3 different lavenders;
vebena bonarensis;
thyme and margoram
plus some rudbeckia/echinacea for later, and primrose for early.
There's a few other bits and pieces as well, but i found a lot of information from A British butterfly garden by Linda Walls - have a look - it was a diary site maintained by a lady who unfortunately passed away, but the site is still there.
Good luck with it.

[polygro]

Thank you for all your ideas.

Paddy - yes I have come across the very informative Linda Walls site that you mention. Look forward to hearing how your new border is later on the year.

Today I bought 3 Buddleia (an offer of 3 for £9) and also 3 Cirsium Rivulare Atropurpureum. I am being given divisions of aster nova-belgii, catmint and sedums. I have also bought a Butterfly annual seed mix to sow in situ later this month and some Honesty seeds for flowering next year.

So I reckon that is a good start.

[Bub-les]

Sounds good looking forward to seeing the results

[elleme]

If you're getting sedum don't go for 'Autumn Joy'/'Herbstfreude. I have this and always wondered why it wasn't attracting anything, until I read in a couple of places that it's a sterile hybrid. This year I'm trying 'Brilliant' and seeing if that makes a difference - if so I'll gradually increase it and replace it.

[polygro]

Thanks for that information Elleme, I did not know about Herbstfreude; guess I should have realised though as my one clump of it only attracts very few flies/bees.

Gosh, I feel like I am learning so much from WABers

Polly

[Jez]

Originally Posted by polygro

Thank you for all your ideas.

Today I bought 3 Buddleia (an offer of 3 for £9) and also 3 Cirsium Rivulare Atropurpureum.

Jealous now lol. Very well done I'm finding Cirsium hard to come by! Next you'll be telling me you got them from Wilkos

[polygro]

Hi Jez

Buying them at Wilko would have cheaper but not such quality as I managed from a local nursery (who do some mail order). I got really good healthy plants and there were quite a few more of them there too Bit far for you to drive to though!!
Plant Catalogue: Perennials: amaryllis, dahlia, calamintha, Echinacea, Phlox - plants for the garden

I have the day off work tomorrow and was planning on planting them but the weather might just postpone that pleasant task

Polly