We bought some tiny Passion Vine plugs at the beginning of the season for 99 cents a piece. If they lived fine, if not we were going to be out 2 whole dollars. Well they have lived and are thriving. The vines that we bought at maybe 6 inches are now running over the top of our 6 foot fence. Blooms began to show up the past couple of weeks but they had yet to open.
Until today!
James went home for lunch and took a picture for me, just in case something happens to the flower before I get home from work. He knew I would be PISSED if I missed it.
In the side view you can really see all the layers of this flower and this is what I am drawn to. They are so different and so beautiful. Alien-like at times.
In this view you can also see that the leaves have been chewed on quite a bit. Our passion vine houses two very fast growing caterpillars. We decided to leave them and let them have a constant food source. I’ve enjoyed watching them grow and hope to catch them in their cocoon.
Congratulations, you now have a gulf fritillary butterfly factory. that’s what those caterpillars are. Glad you are letting them stay the butterfly is beautiful.
@deb – your right. We went searchin’ the net yesterday and Shala stumbled across the gulf fritillary. Sure enough.
And the funny thing is we had seen the butterflies a couple days before (and you are right – awesome color).
That’s a beautiful flower, I’ll have to remember it when we’re able to plant flowers…even through I’ll probably kill it.
I love those flowers. I think you spent your ninety-nine cents wisely.
What a great 2 bucks worth!
That’s a lovely flower and I’m happy to hear you’re supporting the butterfly population with its plant. Enjoy the cocoons!