Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Real Men Sow
There are around 10 species of butterflies that will likely visit gardens, including the red admiral, small tortoiseshell and peacock.
Make sure you are doing your part to help butterflies by welcoming them into your garden. Adults eat nectar and can be seen nectaring both on long, tubular plants as well as on flowers that look like daisies. These flowers are best if you have as many as possible.
To Attract Butterflies To Your Garden, You Should Attract Caterpillars First
The leaves and flowers of so-called “caterpillar food plants” are what caterpillars eat. The nettles are the preferred food of caterpillars of some of the most colorful butterflies. The brimstone eats sea buckthorn as well as common buckthorn.
Plants to Attract Butterflies To Your Garden
Field scabious
Field scabious (Knautia Arvensis) can fill meadows in colour, much like knapweed. There are many other similar flowers, such as the small scabious or knautia that are very popular with butterflies.
Hebe
Hebes are a reliable evergreen shrub that attracts many insects, including bees and butterflies.
Wild marjoram
Origanum vulgare can be grown outdoors as an annual, however, It is not hardy in the UK. These delicate, pink flowers are an excellent choice for bees and butterflies. The leaves are a great addition to many dishes.
Hemp-agrimony
Eupatorium cannabinum is a sturdy and reliable plant that thrives in wet areas such as riverbanks, woodlands, and wet grasslands. Red admirals and commas will be attracted to the icy pink flowers, which are also attractive to other species.
Verbena bonariensis
Verbena bonariensis is tall and has lots of purple flowers. It can also be grown as a border plant or through other plants. It blooms late in the season, and it is very rich in nectar.
Sedum
Hylotelephium spectabile in pink is the best, as it produces the most nectar during autumn. Red varieties are generally less productive.
Buddleia
The butterfly plant, we saw that one coming didn’t we? Buddleja davidii is one of the most well-known nectar flowers that adult butterflies love. It blooms for a few weeks in summer and autumn. To extend the flowering period, you can grow several varieties.
Red valerian
Centranthus ruber thrives in clayier, less-dense or chalky soils. It forms compact plants and is not easily overpowered by stronger plants. It flowers often early and continues to flower well into the middle of summer.
Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’
If kept well-trimmed, ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ will bloom from spring through autumn. This provides nectar for butterflies early and later in the year.
Common knapweed
Origanum vulgare can be grown outdoors as an annual, however, It is not hardy in the UK. These delicate, pink flowers are an excellent choice for bees and butterflies. The leaves are a great addition to many dishes.
