Creeping thistle can be a magnet for butterflies such as painted ladies, peacock, and small tortoiseshell, as well as and bees and hoverflies. The seeds can also be a food source for goldfinch - now who wouldn’t want a flock of those to charm your garden!
Dandelions provide colourful splashes on your lawn and borders, and as they often flower early they can be a vital source of food for solitary bees, honey bees and hoverflies.
Nettles support dozens of species of insects including the larvae of small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies. Keep a small patch out of harm’s way and the insects will thank you for it!
Green alkanet is another favourite with the bees and hoverflies. But other beauties such as orange tip butterflies and scarlet tiger moths also love this pretty blue flower
Red clover, if left to grow is really pretty, plus the nectar will feed red tailed bumblebees, carder bees. Wood mice find the leaves tasty too!
Rosebay willowherb is a source of food for pollinators but also many magnificent moths too, including the larvae of the fabulous elephant Hawkmoth
All illustrations by Sally Henderson, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Design Studio.
