Forum Topic

The Big Butterfly Count is on

https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/big-butterfly-count-2026-is-goYou can download an ID chart from this website and there is apparently also a free app.Less than a week to go but an outdoor activity to keep the children busy.  I've definitely seen many more this year but still mostly whites and no peacocks, painted ladies and red admirals so far.  I saw a gatekeeper this afternoon.The Kew magazine has info on growing plants to provide nectar for bees so that they can find some from different plants all through the year - and there are some tips for plants for butterflies and moths here:https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/butterfly-friendly-garden-wins-silver-medal-at-rhs-show

Philippa Bond ● 5d9 Comments

Was surprised just how large the black moths are, had one in the home once, it was a job getting it to go out.

Janice Evans ● 9h

I do have a buddleia davidii we inherited but it is ancient and probably on its last legs.  It's quite tall now to give us a bit more privacy as since we moved in years and years ago all the houses on the road whose gardens face ours have built roof extensions and at least two trees in those gardens behind us have sadly been cut down.  I do agree that buddleia are easy to cut back as I did that before and have done that elsewhere.  It's certainly better than the cupressus leylandii which we had down one side of us.  I realise that the problem now is that the jasmine over the pergola is hiding it so I can't see the butterflies that will be landing on it.  That's nearly finished flowering and is giving lots of shade to sit under.So yes, I think I'll look for a compact one like the one Janice mentioned to plant this side of the jasmine so that I can see without going outside. Having looked at them again I also rather fancy a yellow one for the front where the speckled laurel has now died, although the Flower Power one rather appeals.  I like the way that they have such a long flowering time and that the Daily Express doesn't like them.  I need to go and do so some deadheading with the pruner to keep the current one flowering.It is interesting that some of the most exotic caterpillars turn into some of the most boring moths!  Last year we found a mullein moth caterpillar chomping on buddleia leaves.https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/moths/mullein

Philippa Bond ● 11h

Was looking at the different caterpillars, some of them are the strangest looking things yet turn into such beautiful creatures, ladybirds come in the house also and sometimes stay all winter

Janice Evans ● 13h

Have you noticed that butterflies seem smarter than the average flying insect?Despite fluttering hither and thither they rarely fly into the house unlike bees, wasps, flies and moths.

Adrian Irving ● 1d

The cascade one looks compact.

Janice Evans ● 1d

If you want to attract butterflies, then Buddleja davidii is your best option. Easy to cut back, and they grow fast and flower just at the right time for butterflies.

Julian Pavey ● 2d

Janice  Your yellow daisies sound lovely!  I have an old very dark purple buddleia which still flowers but I can't see it from the window any more - so can't see it's visitors.  A shame because more recently I experienced one on a patio in the summer and that was just like Heathrow airport - day and night.  The trailing blue campanula now just has a few odd flowers and is looking really straggly now.  The spotted laurel is old and couldn't take the heat.  I had another one which died after being blasted by the Beast from the East.I see the butterflies come in searching for flowers and thought I'd better leave the small yellow dandelion type flower it did find and landed on and thought I'd better water that on the chance it would last a little longer. In Spring I can see the bees on the  winter flowering honeysuckle just outside the utility window and it has subtle flowers, is just about evergreen and has a lovely lemony smell too but flowers too early for the butterfly count.I think I'll plant one of those little buddleias in a pot close to the window so I can see its visitors day and night.  I usually just use that space for things that flower in Spring when it is too cold to go out!

Philippa Bond ● 2d

Walk along a street and you'll find a most definite lack of flowering plants now.

Philippa Bond ● 2d

They are attracted to tall yellow daisy like flowers in my garden, similar to the 'Rebecca' plant,  don't think they are 'Rebecca' as very tall.

Janice Evans ● 2d