The Best Shrubs For Butterflies

Jan

Here you will find some of the best shrubs that provide a rich source of nectar for butterflies.

As many butterfly habitats in the wild are in decline, gardens are the next best thing for them. Embracing a habitat that meets British butterflies needs, to both feed and breed, will ensure their survival.

What butterflies need, is food for their caterpillars, nectar rich flowers for the butterfly and somewhere for both to shelter and somewhere for adult butterflies to over winter.

To get the widest possible range of butterflies in your garden, choose a wide variety of plants (perennials and shrubs). Butterflies are cold-blooded and need warmth, so plants in sheltered sunny spots give them the opportunity to sunbath. Avoid using pesticides as these kill butterflies and many other species of wildlife, either directly or through their food chain.

Comma butterfly on buddleia flower head

Buddleia

This can be a stunning bush of varying heights and colours that will fill your garden with a lovely scent.

Buddleia (buddleja) is also known as the butterfly bush, it is one of the best nectar shrubs you can plant for butterflies. It attracts a wide variety of species, including the red admiral, peacock and small tortoiseshell butterfly. Check your buddleia after sunset and it will be covered in moths, the hummingbird hawk moth also enjoys visiting buddleia during the day.

Buddleia are considered an invasive species. To keep them under control deadhead them so they don't form seeds. Remove any saplings you spot growing if they are in the wrong place or you don't want them. It is important to keep control of your buddleias because they have the ability to grow in pavements, roadways, brickwork and gutters.

Some great Buddleias to choose from:

Buddleja davidii
Buddleja x weyeriana
Buddleja globosa

Lavender

Another great smelling plant for the garden that also attracts bees as well as butterflies.

Lavender is a rich source of nectar throughout summer. You can attract a wider range of species if you plant different varieties of English lavender, such as Lavandula angustifolia, and the hybrid Lavandula x intermedia which are more robust than French lavender.

Hebe

Again this is a nectar rich flowering shrub in shades of white, pink, purple and blue. They usually flower in midsummer but if the weather is right have been known to continue to flower into early winter, and will attract peacock, red admiral and small tortoiseshell butterflies.

Ivy

In autumn the flowers produced by ivy attract late-flying species such as the red admiral. The holly blue butterfly lays its eggs on the flower buds in late summer, and the dense mass of leaves provides shelter for over wintering butterflies, such as the brimstone, peacock and small tortoiseshell.

You'll also be giving a home to spiders and birds.

Honeysuckle

Common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) can be found in many cottage garden designs, its nectar-rich flowers attract a wide range of moths. It's also the larval food for the white admiral butterfly.

Marjoram (oregano)

The flowers of marjoram (Origanum vulgare) are enjoyed by many varieties of butterfly, including the gatekeeper, common blue, small tortoiseshell, peacock, and the meadow brown butterflies. Its leaves also offer larval food for the caterpillars of the mint moth.

Privet

When privet hedges are left to flower their white blooms attract a wide range of butterflies, including the speckled wood, comma, holly blue, red admiral and peacock.