We need butterflies and moths. They do more for us than just adding colour and beauty to our world, they are also important indicators of a healthy environment and a thriving ecosystem. Butterflies are attracted to bright flowers, and feed on nectar. When they do this their bodies collect pollen and carry it to other plants, which helps fruits, vegetables and flowers to produce new seeds. They also increase biodiversity and are an important component of the food chain, as both predator and prey, bringing birds, spiders, lizards, mice and other small animals to the garden.

For some years now the UK butterfly and moth populations have been in sharp decline, and the consensus is that we need to take local and national action to reverse this. The good news is that the last two years have seen a marked improvement in populations, and that creating a friendly and welcoming environment is easily done in your own back garden, or even on a balcony or doorstep. This book will show you what the best plants are for different types of native species, where to position them, and how to maintain a garden that is full of colour and nectar.

Whether you have a huge country garden, a courtyard in a town house, a sunny balcony, windowsill or doorstep, you can plant a welcoming and thriving butterfly garden, including all kinds of beautiful flowering plants full of nectar and herbs such as parsley, dill or sage where butterflies like to lay their eggs.