Gardening for Butterflies and Moths
Short Grass Areas

Mowing in spring to reduce grass length is helpful, but after May it is best not to mow until September. Cutting 1m/3ft wide paths through the grass area will increase butterfly and moth numbers more successfully than having all short, or all long, grass areas. You should always have some longer grass to act as shelter for the adult butterflies and moths. Well drained areas will host more caterpillars than damp ones.

Species
Food plant for
May be used by
Nectar season
Birds-foot Trefoil
(Lotus corniculatus)
· Common Blue
· Six-spot Burnet
· Burnet Companion
· Dingy Skipper
· Mother Shipton
Summer
Dandelion
(Taraxacum officinale)
· Ruby Tiger
· Dark Chestnut
· Orange Swift
Spring/Summer
Lesser Celandine
(Ranunculus ficaria)
 
 
Spring
Red Clover
(Trifolium pratense)
· Silver Y
· Burnet Companion
· Mother Shipton
Summer
Ribwort Plantain
(Plantago lanceolota)
· Heart and Dart
· Ruby Tiger
· Flame Shoulder
· Rustic
Sheep's Sorrel
(Rumex acetosella)
· Blood-vein
· Small Copper
 
Thyme
(Thymus spp.)
· Mint Moth
· Crimson and Gold
Summer

Bird's-foot Trefoil

Hoary Plantain