Naturalised gardens can become havens for butterflies

Naturalised gardens can become havens for butterflies

» 1st September 2010 «

Homeowners can attract a wide variety of butterflies to their gardens by choosing to mow it less frequently, it has been claimed.

Keen gardeners Hank and Vera Jones argued that "urban lawning" has meant that many attractive species of butterfly can no longer be seen in the grounds of regular homes.

"Our urban ambience is a sterile wasteland for all these critters," they wrote in the Ottowa Citizen. "There is nothing here for them. So they don't come in town anymore."

The couple suggested that by simply moving the lawn less often, homeowners can maintain butterfly habitats and encourage the creatures to return.

They noted that this had been done at the Allbirch Pollinator Garden near Ottawa in Canada and that as a result, cabbage whites, eastern tiger swallow tails, admirals, mourning cloaks, viceroys and monarchs have all been seen at the garden.

People looking to reap maximum enjoyment from their gardens could also consider erecting a stylish log cabin or garden office. Sarah Raven of the Daily Telegraph recently claimed that gardeners should begin making preparations now to get the best results next spring.

Posted by David Webb