Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing star Jake Wood today officially opened Butterfly World’s new British Butterfly Garden by planting the final Kidney Vetch.
The flower, a favourite food of the Small Blue caterpillar, is one of the most endangered native butterfly species in Hertfordshire.
Jake Wood said: “Two thirds of the UK’s native butterflies are in decline due to habitat loss, which is particularly noticeable in places like Hertfordshire where we have so many demands on our open spaces.
"As a local and frequent visitor to Butterfly World, I am keen to make sure we can protect our local wildlife and get budding gardeners young and old out there making their gardens and community spaces friendlier to butterflies."
Pictured: Jake Wood with Butterfly World volunteer Jill Hesketh
With the support of Butterfly Conservation Hertfordshire & Middlesex Branch, the British Butterfly Garden features both formal planting schemes alongside short and long informal wildflower landscaped areas.
Key plants include Field Scabious, Hemp Agrimony and Knapweed as they specifically attract local species of butterfly as well as more traditional shrubs, flowers and trees which provide nectar throughout the year to the butterflies and bees.
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