How to plant a butterfly garden

Wow. Only a week ago my neigbourhood was thickly blanketed in white powder, and today the sun is out and spring is in the air. That ‘Beast from the East’ came and went, and all of a sudden there’s no trace of winter. 

The garden beckons - it knows that as soon as we’re done with the big freeze, it’s time to start sowing the seeds for a glorious summer, complete with fluttering butterflies. 

A painted lady feasts on the nectar of Michaelmas daisies (Photo: Chris Gomershall, rspb-images.com)

Though we can’t see them yet, they’re waiting in the wings (if you’ll pardon the pun). 

Butterflies start as an egg, then hatch into a caterpillar, pupate into a chrysalis, and finally emerge (prompted by warmth) as an adult, to mate and begin next year’s generation. Some species have overwintered as adults, a few as chrysalis, some even migrate across Europe – but soon, species such as red admirals, peacocks and tortoiseshells will be stirring into our spring and summer warmth, and I’d love to have some snacks ready. 

Butterflies really need our help, as numbers of many native species are falling. Providing them with a steady supply of flower nectar will not only help the population, but - as butterflies especially love blue, pink and purple blooms - it’ll also keep your garden blooming with colour throughout spring, summer and autumn.  

March is the perfect time to track down some suitable seeds, dust off your seed trays, and get sowing - your garden will reward you with life as well as colour. Check seed packets for sowing and planting instructions. 

Butterflies like to feed in warm, sheltered spots in full sun - so that’s where you need to concentrate your butterfly-friendly plants. Here are a few plants that will attract butterflies to your garden:

Comma butterflies start to appear as early as March-April in mild spells. (Photo: Grahame Madge, rspb-images.com)

• Bugle (Ajuga reptans) - a late-spring flowering perennial with purple-blue spires providing colourful ground cover in spring and purple-hued evergreen leaves. 

• Lady’s-smock / cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis) - delicate, lilac-hued blooms that love lots of water - so look for sodden or shady ground. 

• Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) - a tall, striking late-summer flower, perfect for sunny spots and adding height to borders. Sow early to get the flowers this year. 

• Marjoram (Oreganum vulgare) - I love to snip bits of marjoram off and add to leaf salads, and of course oregano is a staple in Italian cuisine. But there’s still plenty left for the butterflies - a perennial crop of tiny pale-pink flowers in summer. 

• Ice plant - (Sedum spectabile) - a clump grows a crown of dense pink stars in late summer and autumn, this likes a well-drained sunny spot. 

• Devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) -  low maintenance and rather nice in a mini wildflower meadow, it produces round purple heads in late summer and autumn, and you can grow it pretty much anywhere. 

You can download the RSPB’s practical guide to planting a butterfly garden here.

Happy sowing!