Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: DAILY PICTURES #107, 1 by vitrsna

vitrsna wrote:
I spotted a giant swallowtail from the window earlier today and was excited to see she was laying eggs on the Choisya ternata (aka Mexican Mock Orange...a Rutaceae). I was beside myself with delight. I also have two smaller growing rue plants which they are accustomed to using but it appears all the eggs are on the Choisya. This has been an experiment for me...will the swallowtails use the Choisya? The predators know to look for snacks on the rue but i have not seen them cruising the Choisya. I looked for this plant for 2 or 3 years before i finally got my hands on a cutting. This is the first year the bush/tree has been big enough to attract attention. Now i will wait for some black swallowtails and see if they follow suit. I have tried growing dill and parsley without much success...they always just fall down but i am trying dill again this year in a pot on the patio...we'll see. I am hoping for a bumper crop of giant swallowtails this year, at least...i hope and wait and watch. :-) o happy day!