Abelia grandiflora

[Susie]

I only became aware that Abelia chinensis was good for butterflies when a picture of it with some red admirals feeding was put up on the Sussex Butterfly Conservation website with a question asking what flower it was.

Subsequently we discovered that it was chinensis and if you do a google there are lots of reports of it being good for butterflies (these are mainly American because it doesn't seem to be a common plant over here). I imagine it will be good for moths too. It is part of the honeysuckle family so the long fragrant trumpets have got to be a winner really.

I will be pleased to report back on what sort of success I have and if it is good then I shall take cuttings for anyone who wants them.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Susie

I only became aware that Abelia chinensis was good for butterflies when a picture of it with some red admirals feeding was put up on the Sussex Butterfly Conservation website with a question asking what flower it was.

Subsequently we discovered that it was chinensis and if you do a google there are lots of reports of it being good for butterflies (these are mainly American because it doesn't seem to be a common plant over here). I imagine it will be good for moths too. It is part of the honeysuckle family so the long fragrant trumpets have got to be a winner really.

I will be pleased to report back on what sort of success I have and if it is good then I shall take cuttings for anyone who wants them.

It's interesting that some flowers can be really good for some exotic species, yet our own will often ignore. I've grown Lantana in the past- often grown in butterfly houses + I've seen butterflies use it in Florida + other locations, but never seen a butterfly on it in the UK. Will certainly look up chinensis + look forward to hearing your results- hopefully positive!

[Susie]

I certainly agree with what you say regarding the Lanata. I have grown them and not had a single butterfly on them, even though the butterflies visited the plants right next to them. I won't bother growing them again but on holiday I frequently saw butterflies visiting lantana flowers.

If I had only heard that the chinensis was good in American I might not have bothered but it was the picture on the Sussex Butterfly Conservation website which caught my interest.

I think it is okay to post a link to the page? Butterfly Conservation - Sussex Branch - PAGE TITLE

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Susie

I certainly agree with what you say regarding the Lanata. I have grown them and not had a single butterfly on them, even though the butterflies visited the plants right next to them. I won't bother growing them again but on holiday I frequently saw butterflies visiting lantana flowers.

If I had only heard that the chinensis was good in American I might not have bothered but it was the picture on the Sussex Butterfly Conservation website which caught my interest.

I think it is okay to post a link to the page? Butterfly Conservation - Sussex Branch - PAGE TITLE

Looks promising! A quick browse on the web + found an American Tiger Swallowtail on it, though that won't be any help to us; perhaps anyone with a garden in the Broads may get a Swallowtail on it!