11 CLOTHING

Images © Claire Gillo Photography

The extraordinary migratory journey of the Painted Lady butterfly has truly captured the imagination of the Harris family. Each year these ethereal creatures travel thousands of miles from northern Africa to northern Europe and Asia and can often be seen in the UK. Sometimes however, when weather conditions are favourable, the Painted Lady butterflies flutter across the British landscape in their millions.

Not only do these remarkable insects travel across continents, but their journey is completed by several generations. The short lifespan of the adult butterfly means they must stop to breed and lay eggs along the way, enabling the next generation to continue this incredible migration.

To create a welcoming habitat for the butterflies, the Harris family have been inspired to allow parts of their home garden to become more wild. They are embracing patches of nettles and growing mallow, buddleia and other food plants for the Painted Lady butterflies and their caterpillars to feast upon on their epic journey.

Keen to fuel the children's imaginations and their love of natural history, the family are also going to raise and release their own Painted Lady butterflies. This will undoubtedly prove to be a truly magical and memorable experience, and celebrating their passion and support for the natural world with the 11 Clothing community will surely inspire others.

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