A Peacock butterfly sipping on Buddleia nectar
I have a love-hate relationship with my garden Buddleia bushes – now grown trees – even after last winter’s pruning. Buddleia was first brought to the U.K. in the 1890’s from China and has spread like wildfire across the globe. In Chile the “dead heads” are sold as tea! It’s very attractive if kept in check.
Just as I was searching for my long-handled clippers, I noticed a flurry of butterflies – unusually scarce this year due to wet weather affecting flowers, tree blossoms and shrubs. The reward for showing restraint in my pruning has been Red Admirals, Peacocks, Tortoiseshells and Large Whites. Now I know why it’s also known as the ‘butterfly bush’. Fingers crossed to see if the Six-spot Burnet moth “checks in”.
So show restraint when you’re feeling overwhelmed by your Buddleia – a festival of butterflies is just around the corner.
Mary's Blog 