Butterfly populations are down 80% – what can gardeners do to help? 

The study found that specialist species which rely on grasslands abundant with flowers, heathland and woodland clearings have experienced huge losses in habitats, so they’ve declined dramatically. 

Species that can breed in less specific habitats, such as farmed countryside and urban areas, haven’t fared as badly, though they’ve still fallen in numbers overall (by 17% in abundance and 8% in distribution). Declines like this often indicate of a broader drop in biodiversity in an area as land use changes over the years. 

While half of all Britain’s remaining butterfly species are now listed as at risk of extinction on the British Red List, conservation projects have proved that efforts by more gardeners can lead to a better understanding of (and positive impact on) population numbers. 

These include the successful recent reintroduction of the chequered skipper to England, a succession of long-term conservation projects driving up numbers of wood white butterflies across the West Midlands, and peatland restoration on lowland bogs in Scotland which is benefiting the large heath butterfly. 

“Thanks to tens of thousands of people who contribute sightings… we have amazing data to plot the changing fortunes of our butterflies”

“Thanks to tens of thousands of people who contribute sightings through projects such as the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and Big Butterfly Count, we have amazing data to plot the changing fortunes of our butterflies,” Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science for Butterfly Conservation and lead author of the report, told us.  

“What is needed now is a step-change in government support to bring butterflies and other wildlife back to the UK’s nature reserves, farmland, forests and built-up areas.” 

Butterfly Conservation is calling on the government to take action to protect habitats, help nature’s recovery, and prevent more species from being lost. But we can all play a part in creating conditions that will attract, feed and help local butterfly populations thrive. 

As many of us are preparing our gardens for spring, it’s an ideal time to plan flowering plants that will benefit butterflies.

Here are three top gardening tips that Butterfly Conservation shared with Saga Exceptional:

1. It’s very useful to have flowers that will blossom throughout the butterfly season. In spring, many butterflies come out of hibernation, while in autumn, flowers will help build up their reserves for winter.
2. By planting a variety of different flowers and plants you can attract a wider range of species. You can place the same types of plants together in blocks. Try to include some of the best plants for summer nectar including hebe, lavender, and perennial wallflower (Bowles Mauve is a good variety).
3. Taking good care of your flowers is important. You can look after them by mulching with organic compost, and watering them when they need it. Deadheading will keep plants flowering for longer. (For seed-producing plants, you might want to leave the late flowers to set seed to feed the birds.) Don’t use insecticides and pesticides as these will kill butterflies and many other pollinating insects.

If you’re keen to discover plants that produce nectar from spring to autumn, and grow some delicious for caterpillars, check out RHS’s growing suggestions that will encourage butterfly activity throughout the year.  

To make sure your good intentions don’t go to waste, Natural History Museum’s ecologist Larissa Cooper has advised in a blog on the museum’s website that people should research butterflies native to where they live, so that you can learn what these species feed on and provide the right food for their caterpillars.

Many butterflies are found across large parts of the UK, but there are variations. For instance, she explains people can plant milk parsley to attract swallowtails if they live in the Norfolk Broads, but that wouldn’t be helpful in other areas swallowtails don’t visit.

There’s good news too for people who don’t have a garden, but want to help their local butterfly populations, as it’s possible to attract species to a window box or balcony if you plant the right food for caterpillars (just don’t expect to harvest much of the cabbage for dinner!).