I learned from here that some herbs are great hosts for butterflies. So... today I picked up some Rue and Sweet Fennel. Hopefully I can keep it alive inside during winter. I know that Dill is also a good host... is there more?
Oregano is one that I use as well as sage and chives and Rosemary. There are many others, to be sure--but I know and grow these and they attract many butterflies and bees.
There is an excellent article about attracting Butterflies in a herb garden in The Herb Companion by Kris Wetherbee titled "Butterflies Among the Herbs" April/May 2003 http://www.herbcompanion.com/Gardening/ ... Herbs.aspx Jerry
My Rosemary and Lavender does it so well too. THe birds seem to like the seeds of the parsley that is currently seeding (due to neglect).
I grew fennel last year, and had all kinds of swallowtails and fritllary butterflies on them. Not only were the seeds great for Italian dishes, but I got the added bonus of the caterpillars and butterflies. I'm glad you decided to grow fennel. I'm going to grow it this year too. Also Cheryl, because dill, fennel and cilantro are related, I think you are supposed to keep them far away from one another so bees don't cross them. Sorry photo hazy of forefront caterpillar. Back one easier to see. Fennel as Host plant for swallowtail caterpillars ( photo / image / picture from Bodhi's Garden )
Cheryl, Fennel is a cool weather plant so you should go ahead and put it outside in the ground. The Fennel and Dill I bought back in Dec, I got in the ground before Christmas and it has been putting down good roots and new growth ever since. We have had several nights in the low 20's and days when the temp didn't get as warm as 32 and they are doing great.
