Gardening for Butterflies and Moths

Many of us try to attract butterflies by planting nectar sources, like buddleia, in our gardens. Planting flowers raises an expectation which often leads to the question, "Why don't I see many butterflies?". There are several reasons, but the most important is that nectar sources simply retain butterflies which would otherwise fly straight through your garden. Nectar sources alone do not increase the numbers of butterflies.
 
Unlike bees that really benefit from extra nectar sources (as all the stages of their life cycle feed on nectar), butterflies only feed on nectar in the adult stage. Every adult butterfly has spent weeks as a caterpillar, eating leaves. Unless the plants that caterpillars need are growing in or near your garden, you will not see the adults.
 
Some planting suggestions for various areas of the garden are listed below; click the appropriate boxed link to view them.
 
More information about gardening for butterflies and moths can be found on the Butterfly Conservation web site.
 
Finally, don't forget to submit your garden records, either during or at the end of the season.		  
Peacock on blackthorn flowers, which provide an excellent nectar supply early in the year. Blackthorn is the foodplant of several species of garden moth such as the Grey Dagger (below).

Long Grass Areas Short Grass Areas Borders and Containers Hedges and woodland edges Large Trees

Large Trees

If you have the space (and you will need plenty!), various large tree species will provide food for as many moth caterpillars as the plants listed in the other sections. Trees have been shown to bring more wildlife to an area than any other single feature, even ponds.
It is not a good idea to plant a tree species capable of growing to 5m/16ft near domestic buildings and trying to restrict its growth with occasional pollarding. The roots can do extensive damage to pipes and foundations. However, there are places where larger trees are suitable and very productive. As with smaller plants, it is more useful to have a group of the same species than have a single tree. So, take account of those within 50m/160ft but outside the garden.

 
Species Frequently used as food plant by Occasionally used as food plant by Season (if nectar source) Image
Ash
(Fraxinus excelsior)
  • Mottled Beauty
  • November moth
  • Privet Hawk-moth
 Summer
Aspen
(Populus tremula)
      Elm
      (Ulmus spp.)
      • White-letter Hairstreak
      • Comma
      • Lime Hawk-moth
      Oak
      (Quercus spp.)
      • Angle Shades
      • Dark Chestnut
      • Mottled Beauty
      • Oak Hook-tip
      • Purple Hairstreak
      • Buff-tip
      • Pale Tussock
      • Vapourer moth
      • Yellow-tail
      		 Summer
      Silver Birch
      (Fraxinus excelsior)
      • Angle Shades
      • Common Quaker
      • Mottled Beauty
      • Peppered Moth
      • Vapourer moth
      • Buff-tip
      • Lesser Swallow Prominent
      • Lime Hawk-moth
      • Pale Tussock
      • Yellow-tail