Small Blue and Anthyllis

[Matsukaze]

I've just been indulging in a bit of retail therapy and bought some blackcurrant flavour kidney vetch seeds and some seeds of Anthyllis montana, which is described as a woody perennial. Does anyone know if the latter can support colonies of Small Blue? It would make establishing the butterfly in gardens much easier if it can breed on sub-shrubs rather than the short-lived A. vulneraria.

[Pete Eeles]

Hi Chris,

I don't know what a 'sub-shrub' is

Given that A. montana is a perennial, does it have a significantly longer life than A. vulneraria? Especially in terms of (critically, as far as the Small Blue is concerned) the flowering period?

Cheers,

- Pete

[Padfield]

Anthyllis montana is not mentioned as a foodplant in the Swiss 'Bible', though to be fair I think it is a rare plant in Switzerland. It is not mentioned in any of my other European books either. But new discoveries are made all the time ...

Guy

[Matsukaze]

Thanks folks! I'm hoping that what I have is something similar to heather and certain woody forms of thyme - compact, low-growing and ideal for planting in rockeries that catch the sun. As far as I can tell, the flowering period is similar to kidney vetch.