All the caterpillars turned into chrysalises on July 10, and when I returned from a weekend trip on the 19th, all the monarchs except for one had emerged from their chrysalis and were ready for flight.

Monarch

It seems like I left everyone high and dry for the last couple of weeks. Since I last wrote, I put 7 Swallowtail caterpillars in the butterfly box. Three  emerged this morning. Check out the photos! I had my back to the box this morning while having my daily coffee on the patio. I noticed Reba, my beautiful yellow lab, perked up suddenly, looking  behind me. I didn’t know what kind of critter was back there, so I turned. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something moving- a butterfly was pumping its wings! I got up to get a closer look, and there were 3!  They hung out around the box for a few hours before they were ready to fly, and about 9:00AM the last one took flight.

There are four left to “hatch”. WOW! I think I need another butterfly box- I have 9 Monarch caterpillars on the milkweed and 5 Gulf Fritillaries on the passion vine- Amazing! Life is abundant- just look around you.

     What’s growing in your garden?

Yesterday, this monarch stayed in my backyard all afternoon. I wish I could have caught her on video, but I was lucky to catch this still shot. My nectar plants are in bloom now so the butterflies have lots of options- buddeleia, penta, milkweed,a variety of salvias, and more. I’m including another pic of her on milkweed.   So far, no eggs… maybe tomorrow. 

     Take your garden to another level with butterfly gardening. Check out my article “It’s All A Flutter in the Garden” for more information on how to create one in your yard.

  I have had a pretty hectic schedule the last couple of weeks and have not been tending the butterfly garden. Looking out the kitchen window I’d see a butterfly here and there looking for nectar. Alas, nothing “nectarish” was blooming- ugh!!! Finally, I went to The Garden Gate for my favorite butterfly plants. I loaded down my car with red pentas; purple, pink, and white (because I love white in my garden) verbena, milkweed, parsley, passion vine, liatris, and much more!

 Yesterday, I worked in the garden all day (and do I feel it today!) and got most everything planted. Later, I sat on the patio to observe. Sure enough, here comes a beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and it found the purple verbena! I just love it. There’s plenty of fennel and parsley now for egg laying… Now the fun begins!      

  I didn’t have my camera when I saw the swallowtail so the photograph is a shot I took of the same type of butterfly at Sewanee, Tn. when I was there for a retreat last spring. It lit on vinca vine in the woods.