Superstar plants for any Wild Space

Here's how to do it

Some plants can provide nectar for butterflies in a Wild Space of any size. They really are superstars for pollinators.

Bird’s-foot Trefoil

Bird’s-foot Trefoil

How to grow:
Can be grown from seed and available as small plants (known as plug plants). Grows well in pots or amongst grasses.

Sun/Shade:
Full sun

Soil type:
Likes nutrient-poor, well-drained soil.

Flowering time:
May – September

45 different species of butterfly and moth are known to feed on Bird’s-foot Trefoil, including the Common Blue butterfly, whose caterpillars eat the leaves and adults visit the flowers for nectar.

Did you know?
The deep-red flower buds turn orange and bright yellow as they develop, giving an alternative name of “eggs and bacon”.

Wild Marjoram

Wild Marjoram

How to grow:
Can be grown from seed in the spring, or young plants are available in the spring and summer.

Sun/Shade:
Full sun or partial shade

Soil type:
Well-drained soil preferred

Flowering time:
July – September

Seven different types of caterpillar feed on Wild Marjoram, including those of the Burnished Brass and Mint Moths. The dainty, purple flowers are a valuable source of nectar for many different butterflies and moths including Green-veined White, Peacock and Ringlet butterflies.

Did you know?
Marjoram and Oregano are closely related and virtually all varieties are very good for pollinators. Origanum vulgare grows wild in the UK and attracts the most species of butterflies and moths.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle

How to grow:
Grows naturally in woodlands and hedgerows. Can be grown from seed or using a technique known as ‘layering’, where a partially buried stem can grow roots and eventually become a new plant.

Sun/Shade:

Prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun.

Soil type:
Moist but well-drained soil

Flowering time:
June – September

Potentially harmful. Fruit are ornamental – not to be eaten

Honeysuckles are the food plant for 39 different types of caterpillar, including those of the Angle Shades, Buff Ermine and Common Emerald moths.

The fragrant, tubular flowers are important nectar sources for butterflies and moths with long tongues, such as the Elephant Hawk-moth and the Burnished Brass moth.

Did you know?

Honeysuckles are in the plant family Caprifoliaceae which means “goat-leaf” in Latin. It is thought this refers to the plants’ excellent climbing abilities!

Knapweed

Knapweed

How to grow:
Can be grown from seed. Grows well in meadows and other grassy places, including road verges.

Sun/Shade:
Full sun or partial shade

Soil type:
Moist but well-drained soil

Flowering time:
June to September

Knapweeds are the caterpillar food for several species of moth and their flowers are an especially good source of nectar for butterflies, including the Comma and Painted Lady butterflies.

Did you know?

The thistle-like purple ‘flowers’ are actually made up of many tiny ‘florets’. Florets near the edge have large petals to attract pollinators, whilst those in the centre are smaller and produce the seeds. Unlike thistles, knapweeds do not have spines or prickles.

Dandelion

Dandelion

How to grow:
Often found growing naturally but can be grown in pots.

Sun/Shade:
Full sun or partial shade

Soil type:
All soil types

Flowering time:
March – October

Dandelions are eaten by the caterpillars of 44 different types of butterflies and moths, including the Hebrew Character moth.

The cheerful yellow flowers have a long flowering period, providing essential nectar when other flowers are scarce. Butterflies that sip nectar from Dandelions include Brimstone, Orange-tip and Small Copper butterflies.

Did you know?
Dandelion flowers close at night (probably to protect the pollen) and so don’t feed most moths..

Species that will benefit from this idea

Angle Shades

Phlogophora meticulosa
Moth

Buff Ermine

Spilosoma luteum
Moth

Brimstone

Gonepteryx rhamni
Butterfly

Burnished Brass

Diachrysia chrysitis
Moth

Comma

Polygonia c-album
Butterfly

Common Blue

Polyommatus icarus
Butterfly

Common Emerald

Hemithea aestivaria
Moth

Green-veined White

Pieris napi
Butterfly

Hebrew Character

Orthosia gothica
Moth

Mint Moth

Pyrausta aurata
Moth

Orange Tip

Anthocharis cardamines
Butterfly

Painted Lady

Vanessa cardui
Butterfly

Peacock

Aglais io
Butterfly

Ringlet

Aphantopus hyperantus
Butterfly

Small Copper

Lycaena phlaeas
Butterfly