In article , David W.E.
Roberts writes

"mbb" wrote in message
...
My young sons' school has an (almost) surrounded quadrangle garden, a
simple
lawned area with 3 or 4 mature buddlejas, a neglected pond, and some other
herbaceous beds.

I'm told that it's a pleasant area, but "the bushes don't encourage
butterflies". I know it's a subjective opinion, but might it be true? Are
there situations where the buddleja doesn't attract butterflies? Or is it
the local geography, perhaps?

regards, mbb

Could just be a general lack of butterflies.
We have had budleias of various kinds in the back garden for about 20 years
now.
15 years ago they would be covered in butterflies each summer.
In recent years, nary a one.
This year has been a good one for butterflies and moths, but still no
comparison to years back.
Two or three at a time on the budleia is an event.
I almost never see honey bees either.
Loads of bumble bees of different sizes and colours though.

Probably due to local agriculture; large fields, few hedgerows, loads of
spraying.

Cheers
Dave R


We have a buddleia which is about 6 years old. This year is the best it
has ever flowered. 15ft high with a 10 - 12 ft spread. From where I am
sitting at the computer, I can see in excess of 50 flowers. (Just sat
and counted them :-( Sick isn't it?) and Joan who has just done a
search, found ONE Bumble Bee. Whether fine, slightly overcast, slight
breeze. Isle of Wight.

Lack of Butterflies and Honey Bees Yes. Joan has 'cultivated a bed of
Nettles to try to encourage them to no avail.

Mike

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