06.12.2011
Butterflies: decline of UK species by 72%
I was rather shocked at the news that Butterfly population in the UK was in decline by almost three quarters. Even commons species such as the Small Skipper, Common Blue, and Small Tortoiseshell were in decline.
The study that looked at data over the last 10 years says that the fall is due to the loss of suitable habitat. Even though this past decade has seen more information shared out to people about the importance of having a garden and what types of flowers and plants to grow to encourage wildife, this study is a surprise.
The Butterfly Conservation however does highlight some successes such as the work gone into conservation to increase rare species numbers. The Large Blue butterfly is one of them and it was re-introduced in the UK in the 1980s after becoming extinct.
Photograph of Heath Fritillary by David Purslow D11 Hampshire Wildlife Trust
So what can we do to help butterflies flourish in our gardens?
No matter how small the garden, butterflies will visit it if they are attracted to nectar rich plants. In a well designed garden, some 18 species can visit and thrive. Here are some tips and ideas to help your garden attract these beautiful creatures.
1) Butterflies like sun and hat wind. So make sure that the sunnier and sheltered spots include the best nectar-giving plants
2) Plant in blocks or drifts to ensure there is enough food. In any case planting in this manner is visually more interesting than 1 or 2 plants
which looks bitty. But don’t plant one species only, just think if you had the same meal day after day….boring and unhealthy, it’s the same for butterflies
3) Design your garden for year round interest and flowering. Try to have spring flowering plants which gives the butterflies food when they emerge from hibernation. In the Autumn butterflies need to build up reserves to see them through winter hibernation so plants like Verbena’s are perfect for giving them nectar
4) Dead heading flowers prolongs flowering time – so make sure you do this task regularly. In any case it looks nicer in a garden!
Common blue, right, copyright Anna Jordan
5) Mulch, mulch, mulch! Well watered flowers means healthy plants which equals to an abundance of nectar
6) Do not use insecticides or pesticides at all – it kills butterflies and other insects
7) It’s not just about butterflies visiting your garden to get their nectar fix, your planting should also aim to encourage them to breed. So different plants service different species, see the list below to start you off.
Swallowtail copyright Anna Jordan
Below is a list of a few plants to encourage butterflies in your garden and that have nectar aplenty:
- Verbena Bonariensis are discussed above. An amazing plant that stands tall and upright, a gorgeous colour from mid-July all the way to October. I have even seen them this year thrive well into November. Easy to start from seed and the easiest plant to grow
- Budleja’s are the ubiquitous shrubs found on every sad and neglected building site. But this is an amazing plant with a plethora of different species with beautiful blooms. A great shrub to put at the back of your border or as a self standing specimen, Buddleja’s are nectar-giving power bombs for butterflies. With purple, white, pink and lavender blooms, the choice is vast
- Herbs that flower such as Thyme, Marjoram, Anisse hyssop, Feverfew and Lavender to name a few, are amazing nectar producers. Many of these will flower form the beginning of summer right through to September with an abundance of smaller flowers. Herbs need little maintenance and many are great for hedging or ground cover
Lavender
Verbena bonariensis
For a long list of nectar giving plants that are kind to butterflies and other wildlife download the Butterfly Conservation’s 100 Best Butterfly Plants and I really like the planting plans that they share too.They are for either a 2m x 3m space or a larger garden but check them out here and here.
Artichoke flowers
For plants that encourage butterflies to breed and give them food they love, check out the list below:
- Nettles (right) are the super food par excellence for butterflies! I love them as they also give me my spring fix of nettle soup! Rich in minerals, nettles are amazing plants. Most people think they are ugly and are a weed but to my eyes they are a superfood and look fab. If you really cannot bring yourself to have them in the middle of the border, than put them somewhere out of site of the main garden. Nettles attract the Red Admiral and the Small Tortoiseshell amongst others
- Sloe or commonly known as Hawthorn is a great hedging plant but also a great plant for the Hairstreak butterfly. Again they are great for humans and sloes can be steeped into your gin amongst other things but you can share them with butterflies too
- Thistles and Globe Artichokes (if left to flower) look fantastic in a garden. Architectural plants that have amazing blue-purple flowers that give nectar aplenty but also provide a breeding habitat for the famous Painted lady butterfly.
For more plants that can encourage breeding in your garden check out the Butterfly Conservation’s list once again here and remember to plan this type of planting for next Spring 2012!
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Comments
Many thanks!