The Wildlife Plan!

[J-Williams]

Hello,

For a few years now I have been planning a new Wildlife Garden! I have already designed and planted a long border for a Butterfly & Moth Garden and I was hoping fellow members on this Forum could help me out!

I need idea's on creating a full habitat for Butterflies & Moths, including a place to lay eggs, a place where Caterpillars can munch upon leaves etc. and a place where Butterflies can collect Nectar, eat and Drink!

Like I mentioned I have already chose an area against the Garage for my Butterfly & Moth Garden! It has both Sun & Shade and can stay damp (whilst still having good drainage). I have planted some plants, this includes...

-Buddlea
-Redwood Dog Bark
-Broom
-Honey Suckle
-Primrose
-Poppy
-Delphiniums
-Lavander
-Nettles
-Long Grasses
-Red Hot Pokers
- And an Unknown Ground Cover (I know that Cabbage Whites feed upon it)

I have a few rocks and like I said Ground Cover yet also visible Soil!

Now I must ask has anybody got any other recomended (easy to get) plants that are good for both the full life cycle of Butterflies & Moths!

I was also wondering "Should I get a bird bath", I do not think it is necessary. I also have half a pot on its side on the ground, to provide a little shelter for Mammals, Amphibs alike!

Any Idea's, species, anything to improve on, anything to avoid!

[Wild-Woman]

Think I'd add Fuchsias. Elephant Hawk-moth would enjoy those and if you could control it- Rosebay Willowherb.

[AshLee]

In my garden I first studied the butterflies that where in the area and then their life cycle to ensure that had everything they needed within my garden, within reason.

One species that does well is the Gatekeeper. I noticed that it liked to feed on my Lemon Balm and other members of the Lamiaceae/Labiatae(?). Personally, I would have uprooted the Lemon Balm ages ago (I hate the smell). But I kept it for this reason.

Another species that was doing well here when I moved in was the Holly Blue. A study of its life cycle soon told me that I needed both Holly and Ivy flowers. The ivy part of the bargain is now accomplished, the holly that I have was grown from seed (due to lack of money at the time). It's doing well, but I believe it will be years before it flowers. But I did what I could.

Similarly, some long grass will always be kept in the garden for the Speckled Woods and other browns, although it does not thrive in the area that is set aside for it, and I feel a spell of "creative" wildlife gardening coming on in the next few years!

I had a Brimstone butterfly last year, but no Buckthorn. So I planted three plants. This is more experimental, and I'm less hopeful this will be a success, because there are no established Brimstone populations in the area. And the plants have not budded yet (the snow damaged them I think). So if a butterfly passes by this year it will have nowhere to lay. But sometimes I get carried away by my own enthusiasm.

[J-Williams]

To both of you, Thanks for Replying!

To be honest I dont expect much activity this year, the plants are still small and need to settle in! There is a lot of growth needed!

I know we get Cabbage Whites, Monarchs & there is ALOT of Meadow Browns in the area as we live near a plantation (With Deer ). So Im trying to choose plants they will like, whilst also putting new species in and seeing if we can attract new species to the garden!

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by J-Williams

Now I must ask has anybody got any other recomended (easy to get) plants that are good for both the full life cycle of Butterflies & Moths! Any Idea's, species, anything to improve on, anything to avoid!

Having just replied to a similar question on the Plant Forum - hope you don't mind if I copy and paste:
" have a look at the Natural England listing at Plantpress.com - Natural England - http://www.plantpress.com/wildlife/search.phpchose "plants" from "Type" box and your region from the two drop down lists on the search page (ignore the two other drop down boxes - and you'll get an alphabetical listing of the main wildlife important plants native to your region - each plant listed has info on its suitability - moisture, sun etc."

Additionally I'd certainly echo Ashlee's recommendation re: lamiaceae - lavenders, rosemaries, marjorams, mints etc. These will flower in their first year so should give you some reward this summer if planted in the next few weeks.

Re: birdbath - it is a good idea to provide clean water for birds, this doesn't need to be anything elaborate. Regularly replenished small bowls or dishes at ground level are sufficient for most garden wildlife - just ensure that the smallest animals are able to get out by placing a stone or something similar at the bowl's edge to provide a clamber point.

CM

[Susie]

Originally Posted by J-Williams

To both of you, Thanks for Replying!

To be honest I dont expect much activity this year, the plants are still small and need to settle in! There is a lot of growth needed!

I know we get Cabbage Whites, Monarchs & there is ALOT of Meadow Browns in the area as we live near a plantation (With Deer ). So Im trying to choose plants they will like, whilst also putting new species in and seeing if we can attract new species to the garden!

In addition to the good advice given above why not to along to the Butterfly Conservation site and look at your local branch's sightings to see what is in your area. On the main site there is good advice on which plants are suited to butterflies.

Some that I wouldn't be without in the garden are sweet rocket, honesty, garlic mustard and ladies smock; these are used as food plants for the caterpillar and nectar sources for the adults. Another must is vebena bonariensis and the perennial wallflower "bowles mauve" as these are a long flowering nectar source.

Red Campion looks pretty, grows easily, and is a food plant of the campion moth. Verbascum (mullein) look great in the garden too and the stripey mullein moth caterpillars are gorgeous!

I planted an alder buckthorn three years ago and it wasn't until last year that the first brimstone came by and laid eggs on it so it was worth the wait

Good luck!

P.S. You probably don't have Monarchs, maybe peacocks, red admirals and painted ladies?

[J-Williams]

Peacocks!!! Yes, they are Peacocks not Monarchs sorry!

Thanks for the species, Ill be on the look out!

[Susie]

Peacocks are beautiful

[Jez]

Red Valerian, soap wort, Scabious -Small, field and devils bit, Lilac, Asclepias (butterfly weed), Hebe & Nicotiana just to add to the list. Soap wort & Nicotiana are good moth plants.

[J-Williams]

Like I have said before, alot of it is already planted out, there is not much space left but I can always have plant pots at the side and have baskets on the side of the garage!

Ill try to get a picture up, remember its not finished, alot of the plants are small and I have gave growing space!

Aswell, I need help, My lavender around 20cm x 20cm x 20cm is slowly becoming brown, Its slowly withering away and I dont know why, it is watered well!

Ill put a picture up tonight! And if you have a butterfly garden please dont think twice about putting a photo up!