Hi, Susan, Congrats on the first BF eggs of the season. Sounds like your garden is coming up quickly and getting ready for the BFs and Moths. I have had a female Monarch patrolling my yard several times a day, but I haven't found any eggs yet. I did plant the Trop Milkweed we got from Marilyn as well as some tuberosa I bought locally. Even though the BFs aren't fond of it, it is a good nectar plant. Everything here is slightly behind your garden. I have been working on getting all the weeds out. I transplanted a cudweed that wasn't in a good location. I have just kept it watered until it perks up and then I'll cut back so it won't cause the roots to rot. The curavassica I started from seeds is really starting to take off. And, oh, I discovered little teeny pipes on the clematitis that I got from Marilyn! Today I had to go shopping at Walmart so I stopped off at the nature center. I saw my first Buckeye, first Cloudless, and first Red banded Hairstreak. I also saw a Tiger, a Silver spotted skipper, a Monarch, a PL, a Pipevine, ETBs, Duskywings, a Reakirts Blue, and a Juniper Hairstreak on the spreading juniper they have at the entrance to the preserve. I think I saw a Henry's Elfin, but I could never get it into focus to be sure. It was small and high up in the tree. I am really enjoying this weather. I am hoping the BFs at home will start coming into the yard. The neighbor's Wild Black Cherry tree is in full bloom and perfuming the air. I also have a lilac that is beautiful and very fragrant. I have read that Tigers nectar on lilacs. So far, though, haven't seen anything nectaring on it except White-lined sphinxes. There are quite a few of those around right now. They really like the little lemon tree which is covered with sweet smelling blooms. Everything here is on the verge of blooming. I can't wait til it explodes with color! Enjoy your first babies. I'm still waiting for mine! Sandy

Not that it's as hot up here as it is in the South, but when I planted my rue, I thought to be on the safe side (re: rue tolerating a certain amount of sun), I'd plant them in a bed and surround them with zinnias. The zinnias get taller than the rue and help shade it somewhat. Of course, then you can't really see the plants very well unless you're up pretty close to them. I wonder if hiding host plants amongst other plants would keep the wasps from finding the BST and GST cats? Cathy

I wish I knew exactly what to tell you what you're doing wrong with you're rue but I don't know for sure. I do think that it takes it awhile to grow. I bought some seeds and planted them back sometime in March and they're only an inch or so tall. Did you check your plants for aphids? I know that mine have a tendency to get them and I have to smash them then since I don't use pesticides on account of the cats. After your rue plants come up, check them a few times a week to make sure they don't have aphids on them. I hope you have better luck with your next ones. Oh, and I agree with Susan about the Queen Anne's Lace. I plant parsley, fennel, rue, and dill. Cathy

No, no it hasn't! It hath ever been slow! That's why I dodge from Forum to Forum, to find the active Threads. This time of year, the ferns are looking ratty, too...so there's not much to photograph. Although, my (potted) Woodwardia fimbriata is looking thick and magnificent. I'll get some pictures in the next few days. By the way, excellent image! I love the word "rue," always have. In keeping with this theme, allow me to post this little gem by Housman: "WITH rue my heart is laden For golden friends I had, For many a rose-lipt maiden And many a lightfoot lad. By brooks too broad for leaping The lightfoot boys are laid; The rose-lipt girls are sleeping In fields where roses fade." Josh