Congrats on your success on the MW, they look absolutely gorgeous. My front yard only get filtered sun the same type of MW has never bloomed for me in years. They do spread however. Here is one of the offsprings that I have. I'd be beside myself to get a bloom out of them.
About placement of the common rue, they take canopy shade without problem in my garden. However, I've never found BST 'pillars on them. Only find these larvae on my Parsleys and dills here. None yet, this year.
I have my rue in full sun. I don't think it's to particular. And up here it doesn't get huge. I say just put it in a place where you can enjoy it as it has a good color and interesting foliage. I've only had BSTs on them, not the Giants.
Juhur, talk about whatever you want! My rue is planted where it gets shaded by the fence and the oak trees. At MOSI it's also placed underneath some trees. Mine has multiplied or spread into a few other plants so that was nice. It propogates easily by layering and it must self-seed, too . I've had both Giant ST and Black ST on my rue. Right now I have both of them that I'm raising inside. I was amazed that the Giant ST laid eggs when there were already Black ST eggs on the plant, but it happened. I have two Giant STs and about eight or so Black STs right now.
Melanie
I will likely plant the rue where the Ranunclacae have been showing up at random . larkspur, nigella, Some kind of buttercup or pointentillia with larkspur looking leaves ,, There are others some weedy some flower pretties ,
Bees and small BF's seem to be enjoying them .
Those two largest Milkweeds got knocked down today in a driving rainstorm .
The other side of story is the Tuberosa and red Milkweeds are more numerous and doing really good .
The problem " Where are my Butterflies ? still .... and this is not funny at all ...
I am old enough to remember some BF's that have gone extinct,, Only I can't currently afford a Florida vacation to go watch Monarchs .. Here,(this thread) the nature channel, and PBS for the time being , I guess it is ..
For what it's worth, the head of our monitoring group (an expert scientist) had this to say about our down numbers.
"It's not shaping up to be a great year so far. This is not entirely surprising, as prolonged cold, wet periods during the spring months have a history of being followed by depressed butterfly numbers."
I had a red admiral and a mourning cloak yesterday! woo hoo. Pix to come.
Interesting Mrs-Ed...it's always good to have an explanation that makes sense (although i thought you were having a drought?). Also, it is comforting to know that the low numbers are likely due to an odd climatic condition and the situation is not permanent. Congrats on your red admiral and mourning cloak...both worth the wait, yes?
Only one pic today because the mosquitoes were eating me alive! This is a Tropical Checkered Skipper. I see them from time to time in the garden. It's been a while since I've seen one, though.
Melanie
My BST eclosed this morning!!
All right! Beautiful!
Melanie
Nice pics all. Ms Ed when you post pics PLEASE start a new thread, this one is over 200.
