If you have room for an ‘out of the way’ area, why not try creating a ‘wild patch’ for butterflies and other insects. These are wonderful (but sometimes unpopular) wildlife plants.
All are vigorous and aggressive, so must be managed to stop them spreading too far.

Although not popular, Stinging Nettles are the food plant for the caterpillars of some of our best-loved butterflies such as Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock and Comma.
So remember – ‘No Nettles = No Butterflies’! You decide!
The well-known ‘Butterfly bush’, the Buddleia, is a nectar plant for adult butterflies only. Without nettles for the caterpillars to eat, there can be no adult butterflies.

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The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.