build your own monarch 
BUTTERFLY GARDEN  

To build a successful habitat to support monarch butterflies, we need to recreate natural and native monarch sanctuaries. Monarch butterflies need milkweed, nectar, water, sun, shelter and safety from pesticides. MILKWEED | Monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed, so that’s where adult female monarchs lay their eggs. To create a sustainable monarch habitat, your butterfly garden must have plenty of (native) milkweed. NECTAR | Adult monarch butterflies and other pollinators sip nectar from flowers for sustenance. Native plants are best because they are better adapted to local soil, climate, and will attract native pollinators. Plant a variety of flowers for blooms and nectar availability throughout the seasons. WATER | Monarch butterflies drink from different sources, like nectar, dew and tree sap. But you can also help them out by adding a butterfly puddling station. You can do this by filling a shallow dish with sand or gravel and burying it to the rim in your garden in the sun with protection from wind. Fill it with water so it's damp but not pooling. SUN | Butterflies prefer sunlight and the plants they’re attracted to love the sun as well. Make sure you’re planting your butterfly garden in a location that gets plenty of sunlight. SHELTER | While butterflies prefer the sun, sometimes they need a little protection. Carefully placed fences, trees and shrubs will provide necessary shelter from wind and predators and provide spaces for caterpillars to safely pupate. PESTICIDE FREE | A commonly overlooked element of creating a healthy butterfly garden is safety from pesticides. Pesticides are fatal for all insects, including monarch caterpillars and butterflies. When buying plants for your garden, check with your nursery to make sure they haven’t been treated with pesticides. Choose a safe location for your butterfly garden that is not near any areas that are treated by you, a neighbor, or your municipality.

Native milkweeds have evolved with the monarch butterfly migration for millions of years. There are over 100 species of milkweeds in the US. Their spring and summer emergence corresponds naturally with the timing of the monarchs flying through their specific region. In Texas, we have over 30 varieties. In the central Texas Blackland Prairie and Edwards Plateau ecoregions, our main natives are: ANTELOPE HORNS MILKWEED (Asclepias asperula) GREEN MILKWEED (Asclepias viridis) ZIZOTES MILKWEED (Asclepias oenotheroides) BUTTERFLYWEED (Asclepias tuberosa) TEXAS MILKWEED (Asclepias texana) PEARL MILKWEED VINE (Matelea reticulata) PURPLE MILKWEED VINE (Matelea biflora)

Ok, first let’s be clear about one thing: there are no “good or bad” plants. This tends to be a delicate topic for some folks but we’re not here to argue. We know monarchs are desperately in need of more milkweed but it’s important to understand the consequences of buying Tropical milkweed. Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is native to Central and South America and Asia (not native to central TX). Yes, it’s beautiful, easy to grow, find, and the monarchs love it BUT here’s what you don’t see on the label at the nursery: Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) is a nasty parasite that infects monarchs and other milkweed munchers. Because tropical milkweed doesn't die back in the fall, it increases the chances that monarchs will become infected. They collect the spores on their abdomen and as they fly from plant to plant laying eggs, they deposit spores on the egg casing. When the caterpillars hatch, they turn around and eat the egg casing- ingesting the spores. High OE levels in adult monarchs can result in: crumpled wings, shorter lifespan, low mating success rate, limited flight ability, and can negatively impact their ability to migrate successfully.

While we know that the monarchs need support all along their migration path, at this time our volunteers and resources are focused in Williamson and Travis Counties. Applications will only be considered within those 2 counties.

You betcha! It is free, there is no cost to enter the butterfly garden giveaway. But please note, the garden maintenance and watering will be your responsibility.