08/21/2026
🌿🦋 A Little Fennel, A Lot of Life 🦋🌿
Every year, I let this fennel reseed itself wherever it wants to grow—and I do it for one very special reason: the black-tailed swallowtails. 💛
This particular fennel plant has a little history of its own. It originally came from Rita Randolph, and although I don’t see Rita nearly as much these days, I think of her every single time I walk out here and see these beautiful little caterpillars covering the plant. What a sweet reminder that something as simple as a plant can carry a memory with it. ❤️
Right now, the fennel is absolutely covered in black-tailed swallowtail caterpillars! 🐛 Some have already moved on and are beginning the amazing process of forming their chrysalises, and I’ll be sharing pictures of those little transformations later.
A few fun facts about black-tailed swallowtails:
🦋 Fennel is one of their favorite host plants. The caterpillars eat the leaves as they grow.
🦋 They start out looking completely different from the adults. As caterpillars, they go through several stages, shedding their skin as they grow before eventually forming a chrysalis.
🦋 Their bright markings serve a purpose. Those little caterpillars may look harmless, but their coloring and behavior help discourage predators.
🦋 The chrysalis is where the real magic happens. Inside, the caterpillar undergoes an incredible transformation before emerging as a beautiful butterfly.
And perhaps my favorite part… they remind me that the garden doesn’t have to be perfectly manicured to be beautiful. Sometimes the plants we allow to grow “wherever they want” become the very things that bring the most life to the garden. 🌿🦋
So yes, I’ll gladly let the fennel wander.
I’ll gladly share it with the caterpillars.
And I’ll gladly think of Rita every time I do. 💛
Stay tuned for pictures of these little caterpillars as they make their way into the next chapter—chrysalis and butterfly. 🦋
