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

Plants for short grass areas

Mowing in spring to reduce grass length is helpful, but after May it is best not to mow until September. Cutting 1m/3ft wide paths through the grass area will increase butterfly and moth numbers more successfully than having all short, or all long, grass areas. You should always have some longer grass to act as shelter for the adult butterflies and moths. Well drained areas will host more caterpillars than damp ones.

 
Species Frequently used as food plant by Occasionally used as food plant by Season (if nectar source) Image
Birds-foot Trefoil
(Lotus corniculatus)
  • Common Blue
  • Six-spot Burnet
  • Burnet Companion
  • Dingy Skipper
  • Mother Shipton
 Summer
Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
  • Ruby Tiger
  • Dark Chestnut
  • Orange Swift
 Spring/Summer
Lesser Celandine
(Ranunculus ficaria)
      		Spring
      Red Clover
      (Trifolium pratense)
      • Silver Y
      • Burnet Companion
      • Mother Shipton
      		 Summer
      Ribwort Plantain
      (Plantago lanceolota)
      • Heart and Dart
      • Ruby Tiger
      • Flame Shoulder
      • Rustic
      Sheep's Sorrel
      (Rumex acetosella)
      • Blood-vein
      • Small Copper
        Thyme
        (Thymus spp.)
        • Mint moth
        • Crimson and Gold moth moth
        		 Summer