Shrubs and Plants for a Butterfly Garden

Orange-tip Butterfly on Violet Flower

There are many species of Native plants some of which are generally considered by gardeners as common weeds such as dandelions, buttercups, and daises. These hardy wild perennials are probably some of the earliest wild flowering plants and play an important role in early spring and will often continue to flower late into autumn.

Will butterflies breed in my garden?

If Peacock, Comma, or Small Tortoiseshell butterflies are visitors to your garden you can encourage them to breed by planting some Nettles. The Nettles are best planted in a tub or trough then buried in the ground, this will stop them from spreading around the garden. Carefully choose a sunny position near nectar plants, female butterflies can be quite fussy where they lay their precious eggs.

Why Early Flowering Plants so important to wildlife?

Spring flowering plants and shrubs provide a welcome nectar source, for butterflies, moths, bees and other insects awakening from winter hibernation. Butterflies like the Peacock, Comma, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshells and Brimstone will all benefit from a selection of well chosen plants in a carefully planned butterfly garden.