On 28 Mar, 18:15, "Dave Hill" wrote:
My chouic for a good feed plant for buterflies, as well as hoverflies
and bees would be single dahlias, they will be in flower from August
to the frost and will give a steady supply of food.
Another interesting food plant is Helichrisum, the everlasting flower,
the extra is that when feeding you will actualy hear the insects
walking over the flowers.

Really? I wouldn't have thought that since they are so ... dry! Last
year I over done it with the helichrisums, sowed far too much, gave
some away and planted them next to astrantia and zinia. It looked
beautiful, but because I had valerian and nettles growing there, I
suspected the butterflies came for these and not the helichrisums.
This year I'm also growing angelica next to a self sowed teasel with
nettles behind it. I'm hoping to make the best butterflies restaurant
of the north west ;o)