NECTAR TOP 10 1 - 5
BUDDLEIA
1
Universally regarded as the 'butterfly bush', this majestic plant is like a butterfly pub. All forms of buddleia are attractive to butterflies, it is just that the more familiar species b. davidii flowers at the time of year when there are the most butterflies on the wing, including the ones that
absolutely dote on it's nectar: the Aristocrats, Whites and Yellows,
and Browns in the main, although
all butterflies will have a tipple at
times. It is the sheer number of
the magnificent Aristocrats that can
be seen on one bush that gains
this plant it's recognition even to
the casual observer: together the
two make an unforgettable sight.
The masses of rich nectar that
these enormous plumes produce
are absolute heaven for the insatiable thirst that is needed to fuel Brimstones and Aristocrats to build up reserves for their winter hibernation, and migrants for their continuing journeys. On certain larger bushes in our garden we have counted triple figures of Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells at any one time.
absolutely dote on it's nectar: the Aristocrats, Whites and Yellows,
and Browns in the main, although
all butterflies will have a tipple at
times. It is the sheer number of
the magnificent Aristocrats that can
be seen on one bush that gains
this plant it's recognition even to
the casual observer: together the
two make an unforgettable sight.
The masses of rich nectar that
these enormous plumes produce
are absolute heaven for the insatiable thirst that is needed to fuel Brimstones and Aristocrats to build up reserves for their winter hibernation, and migrants for their continuing journeys. On certain larger bushes in our garden we have counted triple figures of Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells at any one time.
The orange ball tree - buddleia globosa - earliest to flower in May and June, here visited by a Red Admiral.
The graceful arching branches of the June flowering buddleia alternifolia
Buddleia weyerana -
a hybrid between
davidii & globosa,
flowering until the
first frosts.
a hybrid between
davidii & globosa,
flowering until the
first frosts.
Clouded Yellow on
Empire blue.
Empire blue.
Royal red and standard mauve buddleia davidii.
Comma on a lilac
coloured variety.
coloured variety.
Heading the buddleia row, featuring all colours, is the white buddleia davidii.
Peacock on buddleia
lochinch - a very
compact form with
grey downy leaves.
Excellent.
lochinch - a very
compact form with
grey downy leaves.
Excellent.
Painted Lady on mauve buddleia
davidii.
davidii.
The tiny Small Skipper is dwarfed by the buddleia davidii pink delight.
MARJORAM
Oregano vulgare
Oregano vulgare
2
For a while I actually considered making this the number one nectar plant. When your
garden is full of this aromatic wild herb, you will be delighted by the swarming masses of butterflies on and around the plant. As with most plants, the wild form is the best, but all marjorams and /or oreganos seem to be favourable. Where this plant scores above buddleia is that it attracts ALL butterflies, and the ones that buddleia does not register strongly with, e.g. Common Blue, Small Copper, Skippers, are in heaven with marjoram. And for that
reason alone I considered making it number one. I decided against for two reasons: firstly, marjoram does not appear to have the same universal attraction in gardens that buddleia
has (maybe people are using the wrong types or are not planting enough), and secondly, the sheer size of a buddleia bush is guaranteed to overwhelm the comparable numbers on a marjoram patch. Nevertheless, when you plant marjoram throughout, you will see it is a very close second.
garden is full of this aromatic wild herb, you will be delighted by the swarming masses of butterflies on and around the plant. As with most plants, the wild form is the best, but all marjorams and /or oreganos seem to be favourable. Where this plant scores above buddleia is that it attracts ALL butterflies, and the ones that buddleia does not register strongly with, e.g. Common Blue, Small Copper, Skippers, are in heaven with marjoram. And for that
reason alone I considered making it number one. I decided against for two reasons: firstly, marjoram does not appear to have the same universal attraction in gardens that buddleia
has (maybe people are using the wrong types or are not planting enough), and secondly, the sheer size of a buddleia bush is guaranteed to overwhelm the comparable numbers on a marjoram patch. Nevertheless, when you plant marjoram throughout, you will see it is a very close second.
Gatekeeper, Comma, and Small Heath feeding from marjoram.
Gatekeeper, Comma, and Small Heath feeding from marjoram.
PRIVET
Ligustrum spp.
Ligustrum spp.
3
One of my catch phrases in my early slide shows was "Let your privet hedge flower and you will be rewarded!" We have various areas of privet, the most prolific being a low privet hedge running near the top of the dyke bank for some 100 feet or so, and last year during high summer there were butterflies all the way along it. It was a joy to walk along, counting and admiring the Gatekeepers, Tortoiseshells, Whites, Red admirals, Peacocks, Commas, skippers, Common Blues..... A friend of mine once said that he considered privet to be equal to buddleia. Again, it is a close thing - there is not all that much in it between these top three, it must be said.
Also, if it were not for the prolific flowering of a privet bush that grew directly beneath the elm hedgerow in our Derbyshire garden, we may not have noticed the rare White-letter Hairstreaks feasting that were feasting on it's nectar. It had successfully lured these elusive butterflies down from the tree tops.
Also, if it were not for the prolific flowering of a privet bush that grew directly beneath the elm hedgerow in our Derbyshire garden, we may not have noticed the rare White-letter Hairstreaks feasting that were feasting on it's nectar. It had successfully lured these elusive butterflies down from the tree tops.
Wild privet in the pond garden.
Just two of the many butterflies feasting on privet: Gatekeeper and Small Tortoiseshell.
HEMP AGRIMONY
Eupatorium cannabinum
Eupatorium cannabinum
4
Surprise, surprise it was in fact the White-letter Hairstreak that first put me on to the merits of this amazing bush-like plant back in the early 80s when I came across a strong colony of the butterfly feasting on clump after clump of these giant herbaceous perennials. Since then I have found that most butterflies give this unusual plant a high priority on their nectaring choices. It thrives in sun, shade, damp, or dry conditions but is most definitely at it's best when in semi-shade and/or moist soil, where the beautiful pink colour of the flowers lasts longer.
The big and the small all flock to this majestic plant: Peacock and Small Copper.
FIELD SCABIOUS
(and related cultivars)
Knautia arvensis & Scabiosa spp.
(and related cultivars)
Knautia arvensis & Scabiosa spp.
5
It seems that any scabious, no matter what colour it is, providing the flowers are not double, will greatly attract butterflies, but as is always the case, the true wild forms are the best. Skippers are the most regular visitors to scabious flowers, but as usual, all species find it amongst the best.
Essex Skipper on field scabious.
Wild field scabious mingles with marjoram and corn marigold.
Different coloured cultivars of this popular nectar plant.
