I think the swallowtails are my favorite butterfly....yes, even over our Monarchs.
I have the Rue as one of their host plants, but this last year I obtained several citrus trees. I am so glad I didn't test them in the garden their first year. With all the freezes we have had, I might have killed them. I will plant them outside in the spring...maybe.
Anyone have any outside in North TX? How did they do through the freezes and snow this year.

I have a Lime - noid has thorns
Lemon - Improved Meyer
Orange - Satsuma

This is the Lime tree when it started to bloom last year.

Swallowtails are my favorites too, they really are the epitome of the floaty butterfly! I can't answer your question but I wonder if they would like the dwarf ornamental citris that can be grown in containers. If so, I think I'll have to get one or two & then just move them indoors for the winter.

The three I have are about 4foot tall and still in their pots. I had the most wonderful lemon scent in the shop this last month when they bloomed. I have the plant neon blubs and they think it is sunshine. Now the orange is beginning to bloom.

Just incase someone doesn't know, this is the Giant Swallowtail pic. I raise and release them in my yard to lay more eggs on my plants...and on we go. It is this butterfly that uses the citrus trees for it's host plant. So I don't spray pesticides in my yard where it would kill my caterpillars.

I can just imagine how yummy your shop smells. That photo is gorgeous!! No pesticides here either.

That one was placed there by my Great Nephew Caden. I love sharing my passion with the kids in my life.

Now that picture is a smile-maker!

Speaking of Giant Swallowtails, one of my favorite host trees is the Hop Tree, Ptelea trifoliata. I really can't understand why this isn't sold in every nursery in the country. I have to credit a guy who was volunteering at a new state natural area for telling me about its value to butterflies. He later became a park ranger. I already knew the Hop Tree by sight, but he showed the volunteers a caterpillar on the tree they had moved near the house they were using as headquarters. It was a Giant Swallowtail cat. Later, I found out that the Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail also used the Hop Tree across the road on unoccupied land. So I had to have some! I found one to dig up in an area that was going to be developed and rescued it.

I don't have that one, but might have to see if someone has it at RU time.

If you want a cold hearty citrus get the ones on the Flying Dragon root stock. Mine where not even touched by the freeze this year.

Sandy

Linda, thanks for the info on Ptelea trifoliata. It is native here though I don't remember ever seeing one on my hikes. Will keep my eyes open now!

Wren, cold hardy citrus, huh?? Wow! Just did a little research on the Flying Dragon root stock, looks very promising.

I planted some of the Hop tree seeds this winter in a pot, I hope they do well, we shall see.

The GSTs out here mainly use the citrus trees. They seem to prefer tangerine over grapefruit in my yard but at the ranch they prefer the orange trees over the lime, lemon and grapefruit trees. Once in a while I'll have cats on the rue - which I keep in my yard for the Black Swallowtails too.

Also out at the ranch they use native Colima (prickly lime ash) and barretta (torchwood). It's always nice to see those big butterflies flitting around :o)

I love to see them puddling too.

Eggs on the Hercules Club in July 2010

Sheila_FW said:I don't have that one, but might have to see if someone has it at RU time.

A Nearly Native Nursery in Fayetteville, GA sells the Ptelea Trifoliata. That's where I bought mine from a couple years ago. They *do* ship their plants, and last year I bought a 4' cypress from them -- It arrived via UPS and was incredibly well-packed. (it died after planting, but that was my fault, not theirs. It might be the only plant of theirs that hasn't survived, for me)

Wren....I have one now thanks to Linda_TX. She brought me one to the San Marcos Round Up last year. I promptly broke it with a hose but it survived and is about 2 or 3 foot tall now. A good nursery is always a good tip, thanks.

My largest Hop Tree is not close enough and hasn't been watered enough lately...some of the leaves are turning yellow. I managed to get a hose out near enough today and have a sprinkler going now that will reach it. Trying to keep the Sweet Everlastings that are a bit closer to the yard alive also. Not easy...wild animals have broken the ends of two hoses that were connected to each other so I could water. This...in spite of all the water I put out for the wildlife!

Some people's kids, I tell ya.....