AT: DIY IRL: Build Your Own Butterfly Garden

Texas is home to the most butterfly species in the United States, but their habitats are shrinking every day. You can help our native pollinators by creating a new habitat right in your own yard or patio. Seasonal species featured in the Cockrell Butterfly Center rainforest are three neotropical butterfly species–Ruby-spotted Swallowtail, Zebra Longwing and Silver-studded Leafwing.

In this class led by HMNS Butterfly Rearing Coordinator Jeff Cummins, you will learn which plants the adults and baby butterflies (caterpillars) in our area need to survive. Participants will receive seeds to get their garden started. The classroom portion of the program is followed by a tour the Museum’s greenhouses and butterfly-rearing operation, which are not open to the public.

A special Butterfly Garden Starter Set is available only for participants in this class. Sure to lure butterflies to your garden, this set includes six different nectar and host plants propagated from residents of the Cockrell Butterfly Center that are proven successful in the Houston area. $45 per set.