I am in South Carolina. They had a very slow start here, too. But now I have probably a dozen around, just in the front flowerbed. And the one chrysalis hanging on the siding of the house looks about ready. Still got a bunch of caterpillars.

Good to hear that you're starting to see more Iris. That gives me hope :)

I'm in southeast Mississippi, they started late, but now there are jillions of them out there! The caterpillars have skeletonized all the P. incarnata vines, and they'll soon eat up my P. 'Incense' X P. incarnata hybrid, which is the most vigorous passionvine I've ever seen. I grew it from seed off a P. 'Incense' vine that has long ago died.

When I go to my garden, there are usually at least 10 of them nectaring in the garden, plus a good number of various swallowtails, long-tailed skippers, cloudless sulphurs, sleepy oranges, etc. - it's fun to be in the middle of them all!

Sherry

Thanks for more words of encouragement Sherry! I'm sure that my population will keep growing now, they're just starting late.

Great photos, Rhonda. You are really getting good with the camera.

Every year is different. I'm sure there are many reasons. This year I have somewhat less Frits and Zebra Longwings, about the same number of Polydamas, Tigers and Giants, more Monarchs, Sulfurs and Pipevines and many more Spicebush.

It's been the best year ever for butterflies. My garden is becoming more mature, like its owner and I am healthy enough to get out and do some work in this hot weather.

Thanks Tom! I've been an avid sports and portrait photographer for 40 years and really want to spend more time photographing nature. I would love to see some pics from you of your butterflies :) Sherry posts some gorgeous ones.

Other than the frits, this has probably been the best butterfly year for me as well. I haven't seen a monarch in my yard here a few years other the occasional migrating one even though I have always grown milkweed. In Ohio, I had them all summer. It probably doesn't help that I live in a rural farming area where I assume they use fertilizers and pesticides :(

It sounds as if you and Sherry have butterfly havens. When I moved to Florida 8 years ago, instead of learning by reading and attending extension agent classes, I made the mistake of planting/replanting through trial and error. I was so excited to try new plants that I couldn't grow in Ohio and I also brought some plants from Ohio that I loved that perished in the heat and humidity here. And unfortunately the result is a mish-mash of plants. I have ripped out most non-natives and planted more native and if they're not native, they must serve a purpose as a host or nectar plant.

My goal is to retire in 7 years (earlier if I can make that happen) and rip everything out and start over. Right now, I work 50 hours per week and over extend myself. So, my garden suffers. For example, this weekend I have to make great dents in completing a quilt for my nephew and his wife for the birth of their first born coming the end of September (a quilt that started as just a baby quilt has grown into a much larger keepsake). I also need to finish editing my niece's senior pictures (kids these days don't want just simple headshots and want fancy effects). I also had hoped to work in the yard planting more bottlebrush, several lantanas and a few others but Hermine didn't help. We were very lucky compared to others, so I can't complain too much. We didn't have electric for an entire day, so I lost a day to work on the quilt and senior pics. So, I thought I had the perfect opportunity to work outside and at least clean up debris and try to cut up a tree that fell. But then I remembered that we have well water which uses a pump, so after I got all hot and sweaty I wouldn't be able to shower.

I'm glad to hear that your garden has matured and you're reaping the benefits and that you're healthy enough to work in the yard and enjoy it. As far as being mature, my body may eventually say it's mature but mentally, I'll consider it when I reach 85 or so....maybe :)

Rhonda

I sure hope you can retire in 7 years or sooner :) Rhonda! I hope we can get through this hurricane season without getting one1

I was out in the garden today and got a coupe of pictures of gulf frits -

I sure love those gulf frits!

Sherry

7 years can't come soon enough :) I love your pics and they do like their lantana.