Lidl's £1.99 plant bundle that flowers all summer is ‘incredible deal' says Gardening Pro & butterflies love it
Recent butterfly numbers in our gardens have been so low that experts are really worried.
They're a 'key indicator' species, according to Dr Richard Fox, head of Science at Butterfly Conservation.
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'When they are in trouble, we know that the wider environment is in trouble too' he told Sun Gardening.
'Last year, nature sounded the alarm call and we were able to respond, securing a complete ban from the Government on particularly toxic neonicotinoid pesticides on crops in 2025,' he said.
'Now we are calling on people across the UK to get involved once again, to enjoy 15 minutes out spotting and counting butterflies, and helping us to see how butterflies are faring this year.'
In last year's worrying count, participants spotted just seven butterflies on average per count - a reduction of almost 50 per cent on the previous year and the lowest in the count's history.
It was also the worst summer for a number of popular species including Small Tortoiseshell and Common Blue.
This year - all you need to do is to find a spot on a hot sunny day - between now and August 10.
And then sit for 15 minutes and count how many butterflies you see - identifying them as you go, using their ID chart.
You can download the chart and print it out for free HERE - and there' s a free app to help you identify and record the butterflies you spot.
If you want to take it further - how about creating a butterfly- friendly garden?
You have 20/20 vision if you can spot the hidden butterfly in five seconds – before the camera zooms in
Plants like buddleia, verbena, lavender, and marjoram provide nectar throughout the butterfly season.
In later summer, plants like Dahlia's, sedums, nepeta and hebes also attract our fluttering friends.
And even bedding plants like pansies have their uses. They might not be as popular with the butterflies as buddleia, but they still produce nectar, and are easy to grow.
Plus they can bloom all summer - and maybe into autumn if it doesn't get too cold.
In an incredible deal, Lidl currently has a pack of ten for just £1.99 - so each plant is only 19p.
Avoid pesticides - they harm beneficial insects like bees, ladybirds, and butterflies.
Even 'pollinator-friendly' products can contain pesticides, which are toxic to insects.
Organic methods such as companion planting are a great alternative - like planting basil near tomatoes to repel aphids, or using nasturtiums to attract beneficial insects and deter pests.
And finally, consider letting some of your lawn grow wild.
Long grass allows some species of butterflies and moths to complete their life cycle by providing a place to lay eggs and food for caterpillars.
It can also allow nectar-rich plants like clover, bluebells, and dandelions to bloom.
Also in Veronica's Column this week...
News, top tips and competition to win 'In Conversation at Kew' tickets
TOP TIP! British Garden Centres has just released a checklist on how to make the most of Balcony Gardening.
If your balcony gets plenty of sunlight six hours a day, plant up tomatoes, peppers, basil, rosemary, and thyme, marigolds, bellis, petunias, pansies or fuchsias. For shady spaces, use ferns, ivy, begonias, or even some types of lettuce and salad leaves.
Check how much weight your balcony can handle. Lightweight pots made from plastic or fibreglass are easy to move and won't overload your balcony.
Windy conditions can dry out plants quickly and even knock over pots, so use ones with heavy bottoms and secure with plant ties or stakes. Pick sturdy, wind resistant plants like succulents, rosemary, lavender, ornamental grasses, hardy flowering plants like geraniums and marigolds, and coastal or alpine species adapted to exposed conditions.
NEWS! ROSE of the Year 2026 has been announced - and it's a shrub rose called 'Coral Gardens.'
Awarded by Roses UK - which promotes British rose breeders and growers - its a competition that's been going since 1982.
It's aim is to discover - over a two year trial - the best roses in any given year, This year's winner, by breeders Kordes Rosen - grows up to 80cm tall, has dark coral buds opening out into pink coral flowers - that turn apricot-salmon as they fade. It's described as having a 'delicate fruity fragrance' and also shows 'excellence disease resistance.'
WIN!" In Conversations at Kew" is hosting a special Gardeners World Day on September 6 - where host Nicki Chapman will be chatting to Adam Frost and Frances Tophill. We've got two 2 x lunchtime and two afternoon tickets to give away. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/KewConvo or write to PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. August 2, 2025. T&Cs apply
PLANT OF THE WEEK! Crocosmia Can be a bit of a bully, so stop it from spreading too much - but it offers a real tropical vibe with fiery bright orange or red flowers and lush green leaves. Grows in most soils, sun and partial shade.
JOB OF THE WEEK! Plant foxgloves to flower the following Spring, carrots and radishes, and get young courgette seedlings in to harvest before the first frost!
TOP TIP! JULY is peak strawberry harvesting season - but it's also a good month to plant new strawberry runners. Runners are the long stems sprouting from your current crop, with baby plants at the end that are actively growing, and ideally have small roots coming out of them. Fill small pots with compost, then place the runner with the plantlet on top of the soil in the pot - and pin it down with a bit of bent wire. Keep the compost moist and within weeks you should see new leaves. Once it's got a good root system, you can cut it from the parent and get it into a bigger pot, or straight into the bed.
TOP TIP! Hanging baskets are really struggling in this heat. It's advisable to water them every day - sometimes twice, as they dry out so quickly. And have a re-think if everything's dying. Succulents look good hanging over the side of baskets - and don't need as much water. As do ivy-leaf trailing geraniums, English Ivy, million bells - aka Calibrachoa and Lantana. Think about mixing in water-retaining gel crystals as well - which can really boost the moisture levels. I've used Miracle Gro 's to great success.
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