My first red-spotted purple is hanging in the "J" in its cage now. There is another big caterpillar that will probably be doing the same soon, there's a moderately big one, and two small ones. Only five caterpillars, but I've seen many butterflies spring from a small number. I released my one and only red admiral this morning. I hope it can manage to find a mate. 'Haven't seen any red admirals around here in a long time. :( My pipevine swallowtails have nearly all emerged, including one hanging out in the cage now, and there are lots of cats and eggs on the vines. One spicebush swallowtail has made its chrysalis, and there is a big palamedes cat sitting real still on a redbay leaf. I think it'll be purging and pupating soon. There are many other spicebush cats that are big and will undoubtedly be pupating pretty soon. My one tiger swallowtail cat is sitting still, as usual, so all is normal there. I think it has one more instar to go before pupating. I brought in some more American lady cats to raise about a week ago. Two have made their chrysalis, and the other four are getting big. Since I can't raise red admirals, I guess I'll raise as many of this type of Vanessa as possible. I've released a total of 5 pearl crescents, with several more to go. Sherry

Smart dogs! The AC isn't on yet here, but the doggie pool has been cleaned three times already. I finally got one with a plug last year so the emptying and cleaning is a little easier.

Katob thank you. We did get some rain the other day and more predicted this week ( keeping my fingers crossed ). We started out with lots of rain this spring and then it just quit . My butterfly bushes appear to be stunted from it as they are much smaller this year. The lawn is the most telling, as it's getting pretty crispy! Cecily thank you. No it's not a spreader. My plants have only gotten a little larger. Here is another pic at a different angle to help you decide on how many you would like....I hope it helps.

Flowers, your bed sounds similar to mine with CdM x2, but I have Violet's Pride and soon Quicksilver for the lavenders and Heathcliff.. I hope to have CL, but am currently planting Jerabek's Peggy M and Star of the Republic . As it goes from fence to bridk wall, there's Lavender Crush next to Gold Blush. I love these colours and am so happy I found a place to incorporate into my yard away from the cool pinks that predominate my backyard plantings. These colours never appealed to me until recently! Go figure! I can't wait to see pics of yours. I'm hopelessly lost in this post, but wish everyone well. It just moves too fast and I feel bad if I miss anyone's post. Thanks again, Jim for keeping it up. Flowers, I will post pics of my 1st bloom on Nahema since she went in the ground. She's just growing her roots so not as impressive as the one I got last year when she was just a tiny cutting I grew up. Don't you adore her fragrance?It seems many dislike her holly-like leaves, but to me they are fascinating. Yay for different rose leaves! : )). As usual, click to enlarge. Nahema 2019: Nahema 2018: