2-3 Small Tortoiseshells were in both the front and back gardens. A brief tour of the back in the morning found them on white and pink Sweet Williams. At the front they were all on one plant pot, jostling with one another to feed. The pot contains Verbena rigida which I bought at the end of last summer; I was curious to see whether butterflies liked other forms of Verbena as Verbena bonariensis is a major butterfly attractor. Now Small Tortoiseshells have wide-ranging tastes in nectar sources; some butterflies will only be found on 2-3 plants but Small Tortoiseshells have visited over 30. Planted in the front garden and flowering now are Verbena bonariensis, Lavender, Field Scabious and several Hebes. The first flower of Buddleia davidii 'Nanho Blue' and a blue Hyssop have also come out. Ceanothus 'Gloire de Versailles' isn't fully flowering yet but is causing comment for all the beautiful blue flowerheads. Then there's the pots and hanging baskets containing other butterfly favourites:- Heliotrope, French Marigolds, Lobelia and Ceratostigma.
So I found it quite interesting that 3 Small Tortoiseshells were fighting for space on Verbena rigida when they had so much choice available.