In recognition of The Big Butterfly Count, a UK-wide citizen science survey that runs for three weeks each summer, we have put together a list of plants for butterflies to help encourage them into your next planting plan.
Echinacea varieties such as Magnus
Commonly known as coneflowers, Echinaceas are a firm favourite of butterflies and bees. Butterfly species, including Monarchs and Red admirals, particularly love Echinaceas.
Echinaceas have daisy-like flowers with prominent orange centres and generally flower from mid-late summer and are available in a range of colours from pink, white and even yellow.
Position: Full sun
Flowers: July – September
Height: Up to 75cm
Soil: Most soil types, except dry or boggy conditions
Butterflies that particularly love this plant variety: Red Admiral butterflies and Peacock Butterflies
Buddleia varieties such as ‘Pink Delight.’
Commonly known as the ‘Butterfly Bush’ and colonising railway sidings, Buddleias make a great addition to a sunny border with attractive bright foliage that will attract butterflies and other insects.
Position: Full sun – partial shade
Flowers: July – September
Height: 30cm-280cm depending on the variety
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil
Butterflies that particularly love this plant variety: Red Admiral butterflies and Peacock Butterflies
Verbena varieties such as bonariensis
Tight clusters of lilac-purple flowers appear on tall flower stems from June to September. This plant will help encourage bees and butterflies into your project right through to autumn. A great addition to any area of a border due to its transparent shape.
Position: Full sun
Flowers: June – September
Height: Up to 150+cm
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Butterflies that particularly love this plant variety: Red Admiral Butterflies, Painted Lady Butterflies
Helenium varieties such as ”Moerheim Beauty’
Blooms are available in shades of yellows, oranges and reds from mid-late summer. They look great in a mixed border and look great amongst grasses and other perennials, and are loved by bees and butterflies.
Position: Full sun
Flowers: June – August
Height: 60cm +
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Butterflies that particularly love this plant variety: Red Admiral Butterflies, Peacock Butterflies
Scabiosa varieties such as ‘Butterfly Blue’
Are full of nectar-rich flowers from June – August and looks great in cottage gardens or in a wildflower mix. Plant in a sunny position to encourage butterflies and other pollinators to feast.
Position: Full sun
Flowers: June – August
Height: 0.5m +
Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained, alkaline soil
Lavender varieties such as ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’
Lavender will add fragrance and colour to your garden projects and will draw in the pollinators. A great addition to a path, or border. Place in a sunny, well-drained position for best results.
Flowers: July – September
Position: Full sun
Height: Dependent on variety
Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
Butterflies that particularly love this plant variety: Cabbage white butterflies
Escallonia varieties such as ‘pink elle’
A beautiful flowering evergreen shrub that bloom for months throughout the summer. Flower heads are available in shades of red, pink and even white and contrast beautifully with oval glossy green leaves.
Flowers: June – July and then again in September
Position: Full sun
Height: Dependent on variety
Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
Butterflies that particularly love this plant variety: Monarch butterflies
Other popular butterfly-friendly plant varieties include: Sedum, Echinops, Aster, Monarda, Rudbeckia, Nepeta and Salvia.
Click here for our blog post on pollinator-friendly plants throughout the season
Posted 1st Aug 11:15am
