Little Herb Garden That Could

 I have to admit that here at Hibiscus House herbs haven't thrived.  For years I've tried to grow them without any surviving.  This year I decided to put some in the porch rail boxes and line the back doorsteps with some.
Yes!  Finally I've had a kitchen herb garden within my reach for making all sorts of delicious dishes.  I didn't realize it would be a home to all of these ...

In this bed we have Lemongrass, Chives, Peppermint, Chocolate Mint, Parsley

But wait!  What is this? 

Yes it is a nest

Carolina Wren

Cute little birds and their nest right in the middle of my herbs.  I had to be careful for awhile so they could hatch.  I don't know it they hatched and flew away because the next thing I knew the nest was empty.

 Then this little critter moved in

Looking not as pretty as it could in the heat we have in this box Parsley, Oregano, Basil, & Sage

This little lizard loves this herb box...

But he is not alone in this love of these herbs.  Look what moved in next...

Yes I think they are Monarchs and they are ravenous.  They will have a blog post of their own...
UPDATE:  Douglas Hunt of Hometalk has given the info on these.. They are Black Swallowtail Caterpillars...Thanks Doug and if you haven't been to Hometalk do yourself a favor and do so.  There are experts in the home and garden areas that always answer my questions!

doorsteps have Rosemary, Cilantro, Oregano, & Lemon Balm

I can tell you that having this jungle as Chuck calls it on the back stoop has kept the mosquitoes at bay.  They hate the Lemon Balm and the Lemongrass!

I call this the Little Herb Garden That Could Be home to many little critters and keep mosquitoes away!