I forgot to get some of the Rue seeds Jane had given into the ground, so I put some in this container. They never flowered... but oh boy! The Black Swallowtail caterpillars loved it! Black Swallowtail Caterpillars on Rue ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Even a few of their cousins, the Giant Black Swallowtails joined in the feast. Black Swallowtail and Giant Black ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) The Rue has all been devoured and I noticed the caterpillars were wandering off in the different directions. I sure hope they had enough to eat.
I tried counting them.... but it was just too many and in different sizes. I sure hope they all grow up and flutter around here.
I have some of Jane's Rue seeds to but never got a chance to get them planted, I will next spring that's for certain. I love having caterpillars munching away at their favorite foods in my gardens. Have had Black Swallowtails cats before but now I really want a Giant Black out there. I know we have the butterfly in the garden, she has swooped by me several times.
What a wonderful way to start off a Sunday--seeing Cheryl's rue plants hosting a plethora of butterfly caterpillars! Cheryl, you have done wonderfully well. We've never had a Giant on our rue, perhaps because we have Wafer Ash trees nearby, and that is a host plant for the Giants. By the way, I have the "wafers" which are the seed pods for the Wafer Ash tree. Any takers? We grew three from seeds, and all three are about 5' tall now after five years. They are an understory tree, need part shade, and only get about 10' tall maximum.
Thanks Jane... but I didn't do a thing... except like you said... just throw the seeds in some dirt. I'm definitely going to plant more!
