I picked up a few pentas lanceolatas "Jessica", a spicebush, a sassafras, several swamp milkweeds and a sweet almond today :)

Rhonda

Oh, I forgot to mention that the milkweeds came with 3 monarch cat hitchhikers :)

I'm "trying" to germinate Holywood Lignum Vitae seeds, bought 2nd Dutchpipe Vine (just learned my Gigantea kills Pipevine cats : ( Also bought False Nettle, some herbs, Partidge Pea, but all seeds so not great odds. Working on more tropical milkweed (the only kind that will grow in S. FL), Mexican sunflowers, large sunflowers. This year I bought 6 passion vines, the Dutchpipe Vine Gigantea, Rue, Porterweed, Bahama Cassia and more Giant Milkweed. Trying to get something going, so many of you have such wonderful gardens : )

I went to Lowes today to get some bird food. They had all the trees on sale, so I can add this nice sweetbay magnolia to the list. It was marked down from 87 dollars to 23.50.

I'm really trying not to buy anymore plants, but I'm interested in some Rue plants. I would really love to see more GSTs around here. I might be able to put them in my budget haha.

I didn't want to either. But this was a great buy and the tiger swallowtails really loved the one I had this year. At least I didn't forget the bird seed. I also got an oak.... sometimes I am surprised what I can fit in the van.

I considered a hop tree, but could not find a hardy one for my area to purchase.

I ordered one, should come this week. It is supposed to be hardy Zone 3 to 9

Its too bad you're not closer to me, I'd pick one up for you. The Florida Museum of Natural History's butterfly plant sale has them often, supposed to be hardy in zones 4-9. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/files/9914/3027/7730/FLMNH-Plant-Info-Sheet-395-Hop-Tree.pdf

I was looking at the wrong tree. I did find a hardy one available for purchase.

I'm so envious of you guys being able to plant the Spicebush in your yard. Mine is full sun and has to be able to make it through our yearly drought here in Central Texas. Only 2 dewberry trees here. So, I'm having to plant very carefully to bring in all the butterflies and hummers that I can get. The birds will be well provided for, too. I'm raising a hop tree and have a potted Kidneywood to get planted this year. I hope to offer seeds in the future. My hot pink Coral Vine and African Blue Basil are truly bringing in all the bees. Planted some more passion vine in pots. Not quite ready to put them in the ground. I know how those vines travel. But, might give that a try next year. Sulphur are all over my yard at the moment. I'll be growing every beneficial attractor that I can.

@gardenfullofswallowtails It's so annoying I'm in Zone 10B when so many plants only live up to Zone 9 (guess that's the trade off for warm weather : ) I got my Rue and Wild Lime Tree at a local nursery and wanted to share that so far only the Wild Lime Tree has had caterpillars. Also, love everyone here planting for butterflies and hoping for caterpillars to show up and chow down! <3

I feel for you with the heat and drought. I got 0.10 inches from Matthew. I don't remember it ever being so bad. Even some of my bigger trees have lost most of their leaves. I am expecting a plant order tomorrow. It's the second order from this nursery. The plants looked good last time, but they were in plastic bags instead of pots, so I can't have them sit around waiting for some rain to soften the clay ground. It's nearly impossible to dig holes right now. Guess I will have to get out the pickaxe. This is one of my bigger oaks, usually the last to loose the leaves.

Well Karen, we can't enjoy the tropical fruit that you get to eat. I guess it's all a tradeoff.

Wild lime and rue in ground. Next will go the red pentas. was eyeing the sweet almond tree. I'm afraid I m making a hodge podge of my plant bed. Have to consult the landscaper again- good thing she is a great native plant nut!

You'll love the Almond Verbena, too. Just love xeric plants. Super long blooming season with fragrance that is stronger at times and moreso than other times. Mine had many bees on it. But, I would imagine that butterflies might find there way to it as well other pollinators.

I'm itching to plant, but I'm not doing any fall planting in my tiny patch, since I have to have the fence and gate replaced this fall and the workers need somewhere to stand while doing it - mostly that area has annuals right now, plus a few ferns I need to move & a bunch of Liriope that's going to a new home.

But I have planted a native violet that I poached, er, "wildcrafted" from a nearby natural area, in the hopes of eventually getting a lot of violets, and maybe some fritillaries.

Definitely planned for Spring:
Zizia aurea
Agastache

Aristolochia

Honeyvine milkweed

and maybe Cleome (I would flip out if I could get some Baltimore Checkerspots!), and some other native nectar plants - Asters, goldenrods etc. Not much sunny area to work with, unfortunately.

I'm itching to buy Coontie Palms now for the Atala Butterfly but have to wait until next check.

Karen, I saw a whole lot of Atalas around the coontie palm at the Green Cay nursery. Yes that's a great buy

I gave in and bought the Petite monardas. I couldn't let them sit on the tables and go to waste.

Late this summer, I planted Hello Yellow butterfly weed and Miss Molly butterfly bush.