Monarch Butterflies

To attract butterflies to your garden, it’s crucial to plant the right vegetation. Butterflies rely on various plants for nourishment, shelter, and as hosts for their larvae. A diverse selection of host plants and nectar sources will help support different butterfly species. For example, monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants like butterfly weed, and their caterpillars feed on milkweed leaves. Adults, on the other hand, enjoy nectar from flowers such as mistflower, lantana, sunflowers, frostweed, and goldeneye. You can refer to Enticing North Texas Butterflies for a more comprehensive list.

In Denton, efforts to promote monarch migration have earned it the title of Monarch City since 2018. Monarch butterflies pass through Denton in the spring and fall, although the timing may vary each year. You can monitor their movement via Journey North Maps.

Beyond host and nectar plants, butterflies also need water and shelter. To create a water source, place stones or sticks in a dish of water to prevent them from drowning. Monarchs follow an impressive life cycle: after hatching on milkweed leaves, caterpillars feed for about two weeks before transforming into a chrysalis and emerging as butterflies. Adult monarchs feed on nectar, and in the fall, they embark on a remarkable migration of up to 3,000 miles across North America.

On March 22nd at Emily Fowler Central Library from 11:00am-12:00pm learn how to create a Monarch oasis with a representative of the Native Plant Society of Texas. From planting native, including milkweed, and providing a water source, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of gardening for these amazing pollinators. First 10 participants to arrive will also receive a grab and grow box that includes 4 4-inch nectar plants and 2 milkweed plants.

Monarch butterfly: Monarch Butterfly | National Wildlife Federation