Nurturing your wild garden with these plant species sustains caterpillars of butterflies and moths, thereby aiding in their growth and flourishing.
In an effort to create a vibrant and diverse garden ecosystem, The Wildlife Trusts recommend planting a variety of native species to support butterfly and moth larvae. By doing so, gardeners can transform their outdoor spaces into thriving habitats for these pollinators.
Caterpillars, often seen as unwelcome visitors in gardens due to their potential to strip plants and eat crops, play a crucial role in the life cycle of butterflies and moths. Supporting more caterpillars in a garden can lead to an increase in moths and butterflies, bringing a splash of colour and life to your garden.
The Wildlife Trusts suggest planting native larval host plants to provide food for caterpillars. Among the top plants recognized for this purpose are oaks, birches, hazel, alder, winged sumac, ragwort, white turtlehead, and ivy. These plants offer continuous habitat and larval food resources for these pollinators.
Oaks, for instance, are important for various caterpillars, including those of the Red-spotted Purple butterfly. Birches, on the other hand, cater to certain moth species. Hazel, alder, and possibly beech are additional native trees whose leaves serve as food for caterpillars of some moth species.
Winged Sumac, a shrub favoured as a native planting alternative to invasive species, supports many insects and acts as an important wildlife plant while also providing cover for birds. Ragwort is especially crucial for cinnabar moth caterpillars, and white turtlehead is a native wildflower valued as a pollinator host plant, supporting various insect larvae in wetland conditions. Ivy supports the holly blue butterfly, and Yorkshire fog grass benefits the marbled white, speckled wood, and small skipper butterflies.
In addition to these native plants, common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is recommended for the small copper butterfly, and Lady's smock supports the orange-tip butterfly. Nasturtium supports large white, small white, and green-veined white butterflies, while fescue grass is suggested for the meadow brown butterfly. Holly is also recommended as a beneficial plant for supporting various butterfly species.
The Wildlife Trusts advise against using pesticides and premature garden clean-up practices to protect these larvae and their food sources throughout the growing season. Instead, they suggest delaying cutting back in the autumn and tidying borders in later winter.
To attract butterflies to your garden, aim for year-round flower interest, with early and late sources of nectar. An area with low soil fertility is ideal for this open area of wildflowers and grasses. It is also recommended to include an open area for wildflowers and grasses in the garden to attract egg-laying females.
For more tips on attracting butterflies to the garden, visit wildlifetrusts.org. Remember, by creating a butterfly-friendly garden, you're not only enhancing the beauty of your outdoor space but also contributing to the conservation of these vital pollinators.
- To ensure a continuous supply of food for caterpillars and increase the presence of butterflies and moths in your garden, consider planting common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) for the small copper butterfly and Lady's smock for the orange-tip butterfly.
- Nasturtium supports large white, small white, and green-veined white butterflies, making it another beneficial plant to include in your garden.
- Besides native trees like oaks and birches, winged sumac, a shrub, and ivy can provide essential habitats and food sources for various caterpillars in your home-and-garden or lifestyle space.
- In the pursuit of a sustainable and environmental-science-friendly garden, it's crucial to avoid using pesticides and practice delayed garden clean-up methods to protect larvae and their food sources throughout the growing season.
