Our Patch JULY 2015
WE CAN FILL THE SKIES
WITH BUTTERFLIES AGAIN
Attracting winged beauties to your garden
is not hard, says garden design expert
Hew Stevenson. It just takes a bit of thought
L
ondon’s butterfly population
is in trouble. While the
capital’s skies used to be full
of butterflies, spotting them is
more of an event these days,
thanks to herbicides, pesticides,
pollution and loss of habitat. But it’s
not all bad news, because if you love
the winged beauties, there are easy ways
to encourage butterflies to visit your
garden – no matter
how big or small.
Yes, butterflies are
always after tasty
nectar. And growing
some of
their flowering
favourites – such as
buddleia,
lavender
and oregano – in a welldesigned garden can attract
up to 18 different species of
butterfly with a bit of luck.
Butterflies also like
warmth. So choosing
sunny, sheltered spots
when planting nectar
plants is key and I always
recommend providing
flowers throughout
butterfly season.
6/7
Spring flowers are key for butterflies
coming out of hibernation, while
autumn flowers assist butterflies as they
build up their reserves for winter.
But it’s not just about pretty flowers.
To get more butterflies, you need more
caterpillars.
And guess what hungry caterpillars
love? No, not plums, lollipops and cake,
as children’s author Eric Carle would
have you believe, but… stinging nettles.
Unfortunately, it seems everyone’s first
reaction to stinging nettles is to rip
them out!
Resist the urge. Butterflies depend on
nettles for the growth of their larvae.
And you don’t need a sprawling great
bed of nettles to satisfy them; even a
small pot of nettles in a secluded corner
of your garden is enough.
The sight of the winged creatures will
surely take the sting out of any pesky
nettle patch.
Hew Stevenson (left) is the founder
of Hammersmith-based landscape
design and construction firm Shoots &
Leaves, winner of the silver medal at
the 2012 RHS Hampton Court Palace
Flower Show (pictured) for its butterfly
house display. For more details, visit:
www.shootsandleaves.co.uk