really good one for attracting most butterflies, whether in a pot or anywhere in the garden.
with designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Shows. It’s much enjoyed by red admirals and is often awash with bees.
Holly
Buckthorn and alder
“The holly blue butterfly is a lovely blue-coloured species which people can attract to their garden by planting holly because it lays its eggs on young holly flowers in the spring, but then emerges again in summer and will lay eggs on other plants including ivy or dogwood.”
Large, bright yellow/green brimstone butterflies camouflage themselves in the leaves of alders to lay their eggs.
And what about the humble buddleia?
Some gardeners see the large varieties of buddleia as wayward thugs, and Butterfly Conservation acknowledges that while it is among the best plants to grow for butterflies and moths, it must be managed to prevent it from spreading across sensitive natural habitats. Care should be taken to stop it from self-seeding and spreading beyond the garden, where it can invade native plants nearby, it warns. However, you can get smaller varieties which are suitable for pots and are more controllable.
Drought-tolerant plants
If you are planting in pots, choose drought-tolerant varieties which are not going to dry out. Herbs like thyme, marjoram and lavender are good for pots, especially later in the summer, and will attract butterflies which require a lot of energy, such as the peacock and small tortoiseshell, he suggests.
Perennials
Which plants are NOT likely to attract butterflies?
Other plants which are colourful and which you could plant in pots include short varieties of Verbena bonariensis and sea holly, which has beautiful flowers and leaf shapes. Both are perennials which will come back year after year. Purple Salvia caradonna are also a magnet for butterflies, he says. “Any salvias are attractive to butterflies and bees and can do well in pots.”
Big blousy roses or any highly hybridised plants which are hugely difficult for butterflies to access.
“Some have been bred and selected to have flowers which last for a long time, but which have no pollen or nectar any more.Things like the pelargonium, the tender geranium, isn’t really good for any of our butterflies. Other bedding like petunias don’t seem to attract anything,” says McCluskey.
Cirsium rivulare
Big Butterfly Count runs from Friday, July 12 to Sunday, August 4.
In recent years this this thistle-like plant with deep red or purple flowers on tall branching stems has become popular
Photo: two tortoiseshell butterflies and a peacock butterfly on a buddleia flower
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