Some plants do well in borders and containers, but struggle in grassed areas. It is worth considering the amount of sun they will get before positioning them, and how you will group the plants. A group of similar plants will be more likely to attract egg laying females than individual plants spread around the garden.

Many caterpillars will thrive in a semi-shaded spot but some will need to be in full sun, or full shade. Containers not only allow the growing of plants in spaces with no soil, or with a different acidity to the local soil, but also the movement of the plant during the year, including bringing them under cover for the winter. Plants with very invasive roots (e.g. nettles) can be restrained inside containers.