We need to rethink what is beautiful in the garden if we are to protect our wildlife

Along with bees, butterflies need our native wild species on which to feed and to lay eggs

Tortoiseshell butterflies on a buddleia bush, on the Seven Heads peninsula, West Cork.

The world is alive with the sight and sound of butterflies. At least, that’s how it seems in my Instagram inbox right now. Lots of people kindly sending me on pics of their garden plants smothered with butterflies.

Sedums and in particular, Sedum spectabile are proving a real hit once more this year. I love their colour and texture in the garden anyway, particularly at this time of the year as much of the earlier summer colour is fading or already gone, add to that, the insect life that they attract and they are an unbeatable addition to any garden during September.