Butterfly Garden Nectar Plants

by Paul Gilson

One garden plant that I could never be without is Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) which last year was in flower in March. By June the plants which mainly grow on my from garden wall were in full flower. They require no particular attention apart from cutting back after the first flush of flowers. This is advisable as the seed can find its way into all sotts of unwanted places and before you know it you will have a garden foll of Valerian. The plant never requires any watering (apart from the rain above) and during last years summer positively thrived in the hot conditions. Last year I observed the following butterflies nectaring on this plant: Small White; Green-veined White; Small Skipper; Red Admiral and Small T orroisehell. During the second flush of flowers through

August and September I ofren observed nearly double figure numbers of Small

Tortoiseshells on this plant. If the long hot summers are to continue in the years ahead then this plant will me my choice for a good drought resistant butterfly attracting plant.