Thank you for raising the issue of butterfly decline - it's so important for all gardeners to help through their choice of pollinator plants. I was surprised to read that even the cabbage white was declining - I always considered it to be resilient but clearly even our most adaptable of species can't cope with heavy pesticide use and other threats. Many of the garden plants, especially bulbs, in sale in the UK come laden with residues of fungicides and pesticides so gardeners have to be so careful with their choices.
Oh, also, I planted an American wisteria at my old house and it was so great. Definitely need to find a spot for one here… I’ve only been here 11 years, so…
Thank you for raising the issue of butterfly decline - it's so important for all gardeners to help through their choice of pollinator plants. I was surprised to read that even the cabbage white was declining - I always considered it to be resilient but clearly even our most adaptable of species can't cope with heavy pesticide use and other threats. Many of the garden plants, especially bulbs, in sale in the UK come laden with residues of fungicides and pesticides so gardeners have to be so careful with their choices.
Yes! And I think it was Doug Tallamy who said that the number of butterflies is an indicator of the overall health of an ecosystem.
Oh, also, I planted an American wisteria at my old house and it was so great. Definitely need to find a spot for one here… I’ve only been here 11 years, so…
Thanks for sharing your experience and plans, Kris!
I am filling in my inground pool soon and am so overwhelmed with the idea of yet another space to “populate.”