Yes, Sherry, the season begins. Actually for those of us in Central Florida it began almost a month ago. Today, I've seen Monarchs, a Pipevine, Sulfurs, Polydamas a Giant and some of the very small butterflies. I have seen a few Zebra Longwings and some Zebra Swallowtails in the park where I ride my bike and walk. I have not seen a Black Swallowtail or a Palamedes or a Spice Bush. Still haven't seen a Tiger yet either.

For some reason I get very few Red Admirals.

Things are really blooming. One plant that has become invasive on my property is the Mexican Flame vine. It covers one whole section of my yard. The butterflies like it, but it covers a whole bunch of other plants. I am going to try to rip out as much as I can after this first bloom.

I saw my first hummingbird of the season three days ago and he just flew into a tree outside of my office window.

Another day in paradise.

Tom, I am so jealous! :-)

'Sounds wonderful, Tom! I'm with you on the Mexican flame vine - it's great, the butterflies nectar on it, but it's not a host plant (as far as I know) so it can't take up too much space. I saw my first male ruby throat yesterday, so the hummer season is on, too!

I saw two tiger swallowtails today!

Mary, you'll be seeing some butterflies soon, I'm sure. And that's great about the P. cerulea! I overwintered two pentas, so now I'll have two pretty big ones to start spring with. My pipevines are making new growth - 'hope the male pipevine swallowtail finds a girlfriend and she lays eggs on them!

Sherry

Won't be long for you, Mary. You seem to be prepared to have a great butterfly season with all the plants you have been keeping inside and the ones you have planted already. What is the date you have for new planting--when the threat of a freeze is over? For us here in Central Florida I always have the date of February 15 as the day when I can start planting.

Hi Tom, yes, I think we're having an 'early for us' spring here in central Arkansas. Our last avg frost date is abt Mar 22 so things are looking good here. I have already begun moving some plants out of the greenhouse to begin hardening off. I can move them back in if temps drop again but at least they'll have a headstart.

So sorry about your Mexican Flame Vine. Even here, vines can get out of hand so quickly. Most I had growing I removed as I just don't have enough room and it was constant trimming to try and keep them off the other plants. How is your beautiful Crown Flower doing? Is it still blooming? What would you guess was your lowest temp this winter. Did the Crown Flower make it through without any winter damage? It is such a lovely plant. If you ever take a photo of the blooms, would you share with us?

And speak of the devil, look what I discovered this AM nectaring in the garden. Not a lot to choose from but this little Tiger Swallowtail was partaking of what was available. I didn't notice until I uploaded the photos, but it is missing part of it's upper wing plus one tail is gone. Poor little guy. Still and all, he would sun a while, then have some nectar. He seemed to be enjoying the warm morning. So pretty to watch and the first butterfly I've seen this spring!

Happy spring .... Mary

You guys are sooo lucky! We are having an early spring, but still about a month off for butterflies up here. Lake Minnetonka has gone out which is a good sign, but well see.

Wow! Great picture, Mary, and she's a beauty. Do you get many Tigers?

What do you mean by "gone out," Jacob? Not frozen over?

Saw my first Palamedes yesterday. He or she was small. I guess the first ones tend to be smaller.

Jacob, it is a trade off. When you are enjoying your lovely summers, we're enduring heat and humidity that will take your breath away when it hits you in the face. :-)

Tom, yes, I see both colors of the tiger swallowtails throughout the season, with some seasons better than others. The one benefit I have here is while I live in a city, there are ravines and large open spaces nearby that have a variety of native host trees for the butterflies. They visit my garden for nectar. I prepared my first of the year hummingbird feeder yesterday and put it out. I've not seen a hummingbird yet but in case we have early visitors, there will be something for them until the flowers get going. It's another good excuse to be outside! :-)

Mary