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Remember the garden is still for you and your family to enjoy.ÌýMix your favorite plants with some that are good for wildlife.

Nectar rich plants - Butterflies and moths love nectar rich plants such Ìýand . Grow a variety from early spring to late autumn to keep them fed year round.

Caterpillar food plants - Caterpillars need all the help they can get so grow caterpillar food plants. Species include , Ìýand , and native deciduous (plants that lose their leaves in autumn) trees.

Plant in blocks – Plant a few of the same plants in the same area of the garden so they’re easy for the critters to find.

Avoid insecticide – Poisons will kill the slugs and other pests but they’ll also kill the butterflies. In general healthy gardens attract the insects and mammals which act as predators for pests and keep a healthy balance. But you have to stop using pesticide for this to happen.

Let your lawn grow. Simply letting the Ìýand Ìýcome through provides a food source in the transitional period between Spring and Summer growth. If you have the space, cultivate a patch of meadow or long grass.

Don’t prune plants too hard. Dense plants provide sheltered spaces in the garden for butterflies and moths.

Use space creatively. Think about growing up things as well as across. A set of swings or a brick-wall are great places for .

Provide overwintering sites. A log pile or even a butterfly house is perfect shelter for butterflies. Put them in places where they catch the morning sun so any emerging butterflies can rapidly warm themselves.

Nettles – Nettles are a fantastic plant for moths and butterflies. Grow them up though the middle of a hedge and trim off stray sections. This stops the children being stung and provides a great resource for the butterflies.