Big Butterfly Count

Hi Everyone,  

If you have some free time, spare 15 minutes to join in with the big butterfly count. It is so important that we count what we see to help conserve butterfly populations for future generations. These small creatures are slowly disappearing with climate change. Any time you can spare to do this will greatly help effort to safeguard our native British butterflies. 

https://www.bigbutterflycount.org/  

Butterfly resting on the gravel in the parterre at Waddesdon Manor.

As a gardener I often try and find plants which are great for attracting insects and butterflies. These are three of my favourites: 

1. Urtica dioica - The common stinging nettle can be found throughout the British Isles. It is more often than not pulled out by gardeners as a weed. It is aptly named because of the stinging hairs on its leaves which can leave a nasty rash. Its appears from early spring right through to the end of Autumn and its small purple flowers appear from May onward. I think this is such an underrated plant as it has so many uses: it attracts caterpillars, it can be used as a plant fertiliser, it can be used in culinary dishes such as soup and tea, and nettles are sometimes used to stimulate blood flow by flogging- Uritication. 

 https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=714

2.  Humulus lupulus – Hops have been used for centuries in the beer industry. This climbing perennial can wind its way up a trellis, through plants and up arches. It’s vivid green shoots first appear in mid spring and female plants produce yellow-green flowers which resemble pine cones. This plant specifically attracts the Comma butterfly and is great as an architectural plant and a culinary plant. Humulus lupulus is in the Cannabaceae family which means it is directly related to Cannabis sativa, the well-known drug Marijuana. The second part of its name lupulus is an old name for the plants translating into wolf.

           https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/8873/Humulus-lupulus/Details

3. Buddleja davidii – An oldie but a goldie. The classic Butterfly bush has long been known by gardening enthusiasts to attract butterflies. The flowers of this deciduous shrub attract butterflies but it can also their harm habitats by shading out caterpillar food plants. However, the benefits outweigh the negatives in most cases. They can grow anywhere, commonly cited by railways, in wall cracks and in many urban areas. Buddleja davidii has light purple flowers in dense panicles. I think the cultivars produced from this plant such as ‘Black Knight’ with its very dark violet flowers and ‘Empire Blue’ with its purple-blue flowers and orange centres are better plants for your garden showing off their best from July to mid-September with long lasting vibrant flowers.   

        https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2448/i-Buddleja-davidii-i/Details

I hope you have enjoyed reading this entry and that you have a great week.  Any time you can spare to do this will greatly help effort to safeguard our native British butterflies. 

Spotted at RHS Harlow Carr.

Websites:

https://butterfly-conservation.org/

https://www.rhs.org.uk/

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

 

Book suggestions: 

Collin’s guide to Butterflies –Tom Tolman

Companion to wildlife gardening – Chris Baines

The wildlife gardener – Kate Bradbury

RSPB Gardening for wildlife – Adrian Thomas