www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

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

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.

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

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