It’s been a busy few months and I want to keep track of my progress attracting a variety of swallowtails to my yard.
I already have a plethora of Goldrim Polydamas on my pipevines. Now, I am trying to attract more Eastern Black Swallowtails (which host on plants in the carrot family) and Giant Swallowtails (which host on citrus).
In July, I added a wild key lime tree, golden alexanders, and more rue to my garden in hopes of attracting more swallowtails. I already have a Meyer Lemon, which I’ve heard can host swallowtails, but over 3 years I have still not noticed one caterpillar.
The first plant to attract Eastern Black Swallowtail larva was the Golden Alexanders. I also noticed the plants last longer than my Rue. Right now I have them in mostly shade, tucked between African Blue Basil and Thryalis (non-native but blooms in late summer and fall). I feel like African Blue Basil needs a post all to its own, since it’s such an incredible pollinator magnet! My hope was that the incredible numbers of bees on the basil blooms would ward of possible wasp predators. Right now I am seeing far less wasps than I saw in the summer, and I think a few of these guys just might make it!
I will check on them daily and update this post when I locate my first chrysalis! I love searching around and seeing where the survivors finally decide to finally pupate!