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' x3Marguerite 'Butterfly'Plectranthus forsteri 'Marginatus' x3Verbena 'Peaches and Cream' x5Fertiliser and water-retaining gel30cm rattan basketCompostSnip a few holes in the basket's plastic liner for drainage, then support the basket in a bucket

borders.Verbena bonariensis works well in a number of garden settings, such as cottage and contemporary gardens, due to its height and airy appearance. It's also beneficial for attracting wildlife, particularly butterflies.Growing tall on strong, wiry

it's not legal, but I'm not aware of anyone being prosecuted for it.I attended a wildlife gardening conference recently, where one of the speakers, Jan Miller, author of Gardening for Butterflies, Bees and other benificial insects gave a presentation

, butterflies and hoverflies. Its strong scent can also deter aphids. Plant with carrots and leeks to confuse pests.LavenderWormwood, Artemisia absinthium, is a strongly scented herb that can deter aphids and flea beetles from attacking neighbouring plants. Its

of butterflies, as they are the primary food source for many caterpillars including those of the comma, tortoiseshell and peacock. Without nettles caterpillars would go in search of alternative food sources - probably one of your favourite plants.Nettles help

in around the roots with soil. Firm around roots with your fingers and water well.Label the plant or row, then remove line. Water well while plants establish, and cover with fleece or fine netting to keep off cabbage white butterflies and birds

, can spread to the rest of the fence, when one of the girls, who was helping by playing on the step ladder, pointed out what she thought was a butterfly flying by. It landed on the decorative painted brickwork over the front door, completely

mainly flies), but in the past I've seen wasps and tortoiseshell butterflies eagerly making the most of this final feed of nectar before hibernating.Fatsia japonica is an exotic looking evergreen shrub with large glossy, lobed leaves. Despite its tropical

to do on the plot it's tricky to know where to start. At the moment I've got a bit of a routine: I do a quick whizz round, snapping the flower buds off my onions, harvesting courgettes and checking the brassicas for signs of cabbage white butterfly eggs

My father, from whom I get my interest in wildlife, often bemoans the fact that there is nothing left in the countryside these days. He fondly remembers fields awash with butterflies and heavens full of skylarks. But he's never one bit surprised