Butterfly Garden Paradise website logo of a flying butterfly

Butterfly Garden Paradise

Small Beginnings, Big Possibilities: Grow a Thriving Butterfly Garden

Practical guidance for creating butterfly-friendly gardens using native plants, seasonal timing, and low-maintenance design. Clear, grounded resources for gardens that support butterflies and other wildlife.

Giant swallowtail butterfly feeding on nectar from native lantana flowers in a North Texas Zone 8 garden

Featured Gardening Guides:

Gardening tools with native flowers in a raised bed for pollinators and butterflies

How to Start a Garden from Scratch

Black swallowtail butterfly in a butterfly garden in North Texas zone 8

The Complete Guide to Butterfly Gardening

Gaillardia blanket flower, zinnias, marigolds in North Texas Zone 8 garden

The Ultimate Texas Zone 8 Garden Guide

sdfs

Begin with the Basics: Host plants, nectar, and simple habitat structure

Host plants, nectar, and simple habitat structure.

Go Deeper into Butterfly Gardening:
Plant selection, placement, seasonal care, and common mistakes

Gardening for Texas Conditions:
Heat, drought, timing, and native plant choices for Zone 8

N

Free Butterfly Garden Checklist:

Free

Monarch Migration Tracker

Click the map below to track the 2025 Monarch Butterfly Migration on the official USFWS website.

Monarch migration map to track and monarch butterfly movement in the U.S.

Find My Planting Zone

Click the map below to find your Plant Hardiness Zone on the official USDA website.

Planting zone map to guide temperature and climate for planting a garden
  • Spring Plants for Full Sun in Texas (Heat-Proof Picks)

    This Texas Zone 8 guide emphasizes selecting suitable flowers, shrubs, and butterfly plants that flourish in full sun. Due to the extreme heat and intense sun exposure in Texas, many commonly promoted plants fail. The guide highlights native, drought-tolerant options like Blackfoot daisy, Indian blanket, and various salvias, which thrive in high temperatures and attract…

  • Texas Butterfly Garden Calendar: Month-by-Month What to Plant & What to Expect (Zone 8)

    Texas butterfly gardening requires careful planning throughout the year due to unique climate conditions. To ensure a thriving garden, the guide emphasizes the importance of timely planting and maintenance. In January, gardeners should prepare soil and start cold stratifying seeds. Each month involves specific planting recommendations, from early herbs in January to heat-tolerant flowers in…

  • How to Keep Butterfly Plants Alive in Extreme Texas Heat (Zone 8)

    Summer in Texas presents challenges for butterfly gardening due to extreme heat, causing stress on nectar and host plants essential for butterflies. This guide offers strategies for maintaining a thriving butterfly garden in Zone 8, recommending heat-tolerant plants like Gregg’s mistflower and various milkweed species. Key tips include deep and infrequent watering, mulching for moisture…