Attracting butterflies to your garden

Did you know that the UK has 59 different types of butterfly? Many are sadly in decline due to loss of habitat and climate change, but there are some things you can do to help:

• Plant nectar rich flowers such as bluebells, lavender, primrose, and cornflower. The more colours the better and also so beautiful!
• Butterflies love heat, so plant your flowers in warm, sunny places that are sheltered from the wind. Window boxes or pots also work well.

• Other plants that attract butterflies include fruit trees, herbs and shrubs, so try to include a mixture that flower and fruit at different times of year as this will help support all kinds of wildlife in all seasons.
• You can also offer butterflies a sweet snack to give them energy by putting overripe fruit outside in a warm spot. You could also heat sugar in water until dissolved and soak a brightly-coloured cloth in the mixture to place outside an attract the insects.

Join this year’s Butterfly Count, a nationwide citizen science survey that helps assess the health of our environment.