Be a Butterfly Nectar Cafe
Many of us enjoy watching butterflies flitting from flower to flower on sunny days; the peacock, meadow brown and speckled wood to name but a few. Have you ever thought about creating your own butterfly garden? It is easier than you think!
Rachel Bain, Biodiversity Officer, explained, ‘By creating a butterfly area in your garden you are helping to provide a nectar source for our wonderful native butterflies, thus bringing added excitement and colour to your garden.’
All you need to do is choose a warm and sunny sheltered spot for your butterfly garden, then pick a variety of plants that will provide nectar from spring to autumn. Spring flowers will provide important nectar when butterflies come out of hibernation and autumn plants will help build up their reserves for winter.
Plants like buddleia, often known as the butterfly bush because of their rich source of nectar, attract butterflies from July to August. Lavender, again a rich source of nectar throughout the summer, is also a good plant for butterflies along with forget-me-knots, marjoram, knapweed and grasses such as fescues, foxtail and quaking grass.
Although certain food plants for caterpillars might be less appealing to the keen gardener Rachel remarked, ‘Nettles and thistles are great for caterpillars. In my garden I have set aside the hedge bottom for my nettle crop!’ Remember to avoid using insecticides and pesticides as these can kill butterflies and pollinating insects along with ladybirds, ground beetles and spiders.
For further information, please contact Rachel Bain, Biodiversity Officer, on (028) 7034 7272 or email rachel.bain@ballymoney.gov.uk.