All of a flutter for the Big Butterfly Count

All of a flutter for the Big Butterfly Count: The STIGA team is well known for their love of nature, they consider themselves to be “green-fingered engineers with the hearts of gardeners” and relish every chance they get to highlight the importance of wildlife in the garden.

The Big Butterfly Count begins on Friday, 18th July 2025 and will run until Sunday, 10th August and many people have noticed more of our winged friends than usual this year. This could be because there has been reported to have been a real bloom extravaganza this year of flowers and plants that butterflies really love.

But this is no time to rest on our laurels, these beautiful insects still need our help, and there are many tips that are handy for ensuring that butterflies still come into your garden…not just this year, but every year!

Plant Nectar-Rich Flowers

Butterflies rely on nectar for food, so fill your garden with a variety of blooming plants from spring through fall. Native plants are especially beneficial, as they’re well-suited to local pollinators.

Top nectar plants include:

Milkweed
Echinacea
Bee Balm
Zinnias
Butterfly Bush
Black-eyed Susan

Tip: Plant each species in clusters — this makes it easier for butterflies to find them.

Add Host Plants for Caterpillars

Butterflies lay their eggs on specific “host” plants, which serve as food for emerging caterpillars.

Examples of host plants:

Bird’s-foot Trefoil
Nasturtium
Red Clover
Honesty
Marjoram
Garlic Mustard
Foxglove
Lady’s Smock

Provide Sun and Shelter

Butterflies are cold-blooded and need warmth to stay active.

To create a butterfly-friendly environment:

Place flat stones or tiles where butterflies can bask in the sun.
Use shrubs, fences, or garden structures to shield the area from wind.
Avoid heavily shaded spots — butterflies prefer sunny, sheltered locations.

Offer Water and Essential Minerals

Butterflies engage in “puddling,” where they drink from moist areas to absorb minerals.

Create a simple puddling station:
Use a shallow dish filled with water, damp sand, or mud.
Add a pinch of salt or a bit of compost to enrich the mix and attract more butterflies.

STIGA have a whole host of new manual hand tools which can help with planting your butterfly-friendly blooms. Their Hand Trowel, is the perfect tool for planting, repotting, or preparing soil. Whilst the STIGA Hand Grubber, offers efficient weed removal and gentle soil aeration.

You can see the whole range of hand tools and other products at www.stiga.com/uk/

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