Rue hosts swallowtail caterpillars

We plant rue for the butterflies--black swallowtails lay their eggs on rue, the caterpillars develop and eat most of the plant, then go on to be beautiful butterflies. The rue recovers and we go through about three cycles each summer. Here is a photo of a rue plant, filled with caterpillars:


Black Swallowtail caterpillars on rue ( photo / image / picture from marlingardener's Garden )

We have 20 or more caterpillars at various stages of development on each of three rue plants.
Rue is also a companion plant to roses and to figs, and makes a pretty addition to the flower border.
Rue easily grows from seed, and once established will self-seed. The small rues can be transplanted in spring. You'll never be sorry if you have rue! (I couldn't resist . . . .)

 

Okay... you convinced me!! (Have you been taking lessons from Toni?? )
Come springtime, I'll be looking for some Rue.

 

I am going to have to see about this. I am looking for plants to put in what I call "my milkweed patch" this next spring.
So far I have common milkweed, thistle, snowberry, written down going to have to add rue.

 

I'd like to add rue. Is it one of those plants that can cause a skin reaction if the sap touches the skin?

 

Leafylady, rue can irritate some people's skin. It never has mine, and I'm sensitive to lantana, okra, and of course, poison ivy. The nice thing about rue is that you can stick it in the garden where you don't normally do much, and you don't have to deadhead or prune it, or even water it.

 

I got dill and parsley written down and will add the fennel to my list Thank you toni!

 

Rue, Dill, Parsley and fennel would look lovely together, or as part of a perennial garden.

 

I'm in agreement with everyone else. I'm so going to have to get some Rue. With my Passion Flower attracting so many Gulf Frittarlys this Summer, Rue would with Swallowtails would be a great addition.

 

I am excited to plant my rue seeds next spring. Thanks for sharing.