Many thanks for all the advice and comments.

The point about water is well made, and the garden pond will be refurbished
shortly. A more generally insect friendly planting will be done, so I think
we should see an improvement. Given that the garden contains both light and
dark flowered buddlejas, I shall be interested to see just how they compare
in their 'butterfly attracting' - perhaps something for the children to
monitor.

The building structure is the only problem which cannot be solved, but on
the other hand once butterflies and other insects are introduced, they will
have sheltered space to live in.

Thanks again, mbb



"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