This is a selection of wild flowers that have for generation helped provide food for butterflies. They are rich in nectar and even garden cultivated varieties should feature in your butterfly friendly garden. Even nettles feed butterfly larvae.

Low Growing plants up to 12 Inches Tall
Primrose and Cowslip.
Orange Hawkweed
Daisy
Dandelion
Birds-foot -trefoil
Lesser Celandine
Sweet Violet and Pansy
Thrift
Wild Thyme
White Clover


Mid Sized Plants 12-24″ feet Tall

Bluebell
Common Knapweed
Corn Marigold
Feverfew
Oxeye Daisy
Marjoram
Yarrow
Ragged Robin

Plants Growing over 2 feet Tall
Bladder Campion and white Campion or Silene
Cornflower
Devils Scabious and field Scabious
Teasel
Greater Knapweed
Michaelmas-daisy
Musk Mallow
Red Valerian
Purple Loosestrife

How to Attract Butterflies into your Garden
Get Butterflies in Your Garden has more nectar plants to consider

 

Other Food and Energy sources

• Many grasses support butterflies. Have areas of longer grass and mow through to create a path of shorter grasses.
• Perennials such as Knapweed and Centaurea look stunning and feed with nectar.
• Nettles and thistles are good for caterpillars as are currants and ivy.