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Garden Becomes Butterfly Haven
30 Jul
Summary
- Garden hosts 16 butterfly species, 25% of UK's total.
- Butterfly numbers have dropped nearly 20% since 1976.
- Wildlife-friendly practices like leaving nettles help caterpillars.
A garden in St Mary's Platt, Kent, is proving to be a successful micro-reserve, providing a vital habitat for numerous butterfly species.
Great Comp Garden is currently home to 16 different types of butterflies, representing approximately 25% of all species found in the UK. This is a remarkable figure, especially when compared to typical gardens which usually host only five to ten species.
This haven for butterflies is particularly noteworthy given the declining trends in butterfly populations. Since the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme commenced in 1976, overall butterfly abundance has decreased by nearly 20%. Specialist species are facing severe population crashes, largely attributed to habitat loss and the widespread use of pesticides.
However, Great Comp Garden showcases a healthy and flourishing mix of both generalist and mobile butterfly species. Senior gardener Kristyna Kay-Clough highlighted the garden's deliberate planting strategy and its welcoming approach to wildlife, such as leaving nettles at the woodland edge to serve as food for caterpillars. This approach has created an exceptional environment for these delicate insects.
