Full shade plants

Discussion forum for butterfly foodplants, and butterfly gardening in general.
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DaveBlom
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Aug 11, 2013 11:47 am
Location: Spixworth, Norwich

Full shade plants

Post by DaveBlom »

Hi all,

Are there any full shade plants to attract butterflies. I have border of about 4m x 1m which is up against the back of my bungalow. It's north facing so the sun never gets to it. There's nothing in the border at the moment but it seems a shame to waste it.

Cheers

Dave
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David M
Posts: 17820
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 8:17 pm
Location: South Wales

Re: Full shade plants

Post by David M »

If the sun never hits it then it's unlikely to ever attract adult butterflies. That said, the area may be attractive to egg laying females to use pf host plants are present.
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MikeOxon
Posts: 2656
Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 2:06 pm
Location: Oxfordshire

Re: Full shade plants

Post by MikeOxon »

Lace-cap Hydrangeas will grow on your North wall and provide plenty of nectar. Ours attract plenty of bees but, as David M suggests, butterflies tend not to feed in the shade. On the food plant theme, Holly and/or Ivy would be good for Holly Blues.

Mike
Susie
Posts: 3618
Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:34 pm

Re: Full shade plants

Post by Susie »

You could try to grow a buddleia, I imagine that it would get sun at mid day in summer and a tall variety like black knight wouldfit.

Probably better to grow for other insects instead, such as bees. They need love too :)
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