I’ve got the summertime blues, pinks, reds, oranges, yellows... The old Eddie Cochran song is about the “summertime blues” but as I write it looks like we’re heading for a proper summer this year and if you’re like me you’ll be out in your garden as much as possible. I’m always looking for more colour, scent, shape and texture for the garden and this year I’m looking for even more flowers to attract bees and especially butterflies to the garden. Our plant fairs have just the right range of top quality nurseries to provide plants for every part of my garden from patio pots (as well as the pots) through to ornamental trees. I’ve included my little guide to common garden butterflies in this edition with information about their food plants and photos taken here in Hankelow Cheshire. Best wishes
Martin Garden Butterflies with SpecialPerennials: Peacock One of my garden’s showiest butterflies with its slow, strong wingbeats and those amazingly coloured “eyes”. The caterpillars live on nettles (pictures shows one preparing to pupate). Adults can live for up to a year, hibernating through the winter in dry places like sheds.