There has been an explosion in the number of caterpillars in the garden. So far, I have Eastern Swallowtails, Gulf Fritillaries, Giant Swallowtails and Buckeye caterpillars. On one Parsley plant I counted up to twelve cats. This is the first year for the Giant Swallowtail caterpillars to make their appearance in the garden. They are currently feasting on the leaves of my Meyer Lemon Tree. I also have a Mexican Lime Tree, but no cats were spotted on it. I planted a White Veined Pipevine, so I'm just waiting for the Pipevine Swallowtail cats to show up. Maybe I need more of the Pipevine plant?
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| Swallowtail Caterpillar |
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| Swallowtail Caterpillars |
The Artichoke that was planted last Spring has finally bloomed out. I tried to leave some blooms on the plant for the bees. I ate three Artichokes, which I steamed and dipped in a lemon butter sauce. They were delish! Of course, anything dipped in butter taste good. I'm mesmerized by the gorgeous thistle like blooms. They also smell like perfume. Here are a series of Artichoke pictures:
Foliage and flowers around the garden....
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| Caladium |
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| Coral Vine |
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| Mona Lavender |
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| Kent's Oregano |
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| Firebush (Hamelia patens) |
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| Autumn Fern |
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| Agapanthus, Potato Vine and Red Penta |
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| Sunflower |
Thanks for stopping by and visiting my garden.
Beautiful photos!!!! I love the cats- we have them at the house all over the parsley- I haven't seen them on the lemons or lime trees yet though. Will keep an eye out. I have an artichoke at the house that is growing but not blooming- should it be blooming by now? Maybe it needs more sun- I was worried about where I put it but it was the best spot for how big it was going to get. Your blooms are gorgeous. I love the Mona Lavender- been very popular this year as well at the nursery.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kacky. Every time I see a Giant Swallowtail butterfly in the garden I always check the Lemon and Lime tree for Butterfly eggs. I thought the Artichoke in my garden bloomed late in the season. I kept seeing other garden bloggers post pictures of their blooming Artichokes. I think the bloom time depends on a number of things. They do get really big! This is the first year I've grown the Mona Lavender in the ground and not in a pot. Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteYou're gonna have a bajillion butterflies! Lucky girl!
ReplyDeleteCat, This has been a wonderful Summer for butterflies. I'm thinking the rain had something to do with it. Hope you have a great weekend.
DeleteSteph, LOVED this post. Could you put up some shots of your Giant Swallowtail cats? I've seen adults laying eggs but never seem to find the caterpillars.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pictures, especially the artichoke. You might want to change the name of firecracker to firebush (Hamelia patens).
Thank you Kathleen. Unfortunately, the Giant Swallowtail cats disappeared. I'm thinking wasps may have gotten them.
DeleteThank you for the ID on the Firebush. For some reason I can never remember the name of that plant. Hope you have a fantastic weekend.
I saw several cats on our parsley too...at home and at work - do you know why they like it so much?????
ReplyDeleteHeather, Parsley is a host plant for the Eastern Black Swallowtails. They ate mine to the ground until nothing was left. I always try to plant 2 Parsley plants, one for me and one for the caterpillars. They usually end up eating both:) They will also use fennel as a host plant.
DeleteThat makes so much sense now! Thanks Steph!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are fantastic
ReplyDeleteGreetings, http://kolorywogrodzie.blog.onet.pl