Butterfly gathering nectar. (Photo: butterfly image by Nadezda Pyastolova from Fotolia.com )
Touring butterfly gardens in Texas is a wonderful way to learn about organic gardening and conservation. An aim of most butterfly habitats is to inform the public on how to attract butterflies and to teach about native and imported butterfly species. Visitors must be careful not to touch the butterflies or disturb their ecosystems, as both are fragile. Food and drink is not allowed in most butterfly gardens. Sunny days with temperatures above 70 degrees are the best time to visit these places.
Austinite John Dromgoole built The Natural Gardener, a nursery and garden supply center, in 1999. Dedicated to teaching about and promoting organic techniques, Dromgoole included a sanctuary for butterflies. The Natural Gardener is open seven days weekly, but butterfly viewing is seasonal as various species migrate through Texas.
The Natural Gardener
8648 Old Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78735
Within Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park in Dallas lies the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House & Insectarium. The butterfly house holds 500 to 1,000 species, and populations vary throughout the year. Staff release young butterflies from the emergence chamber on a daily basis. The facility is wheelchair accessible on the walkway, but strollers are not allowed inside. Guests are encouraged to take pictures.
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park
3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75210
The Butterfly Haus, in Fredericksburg, is a 3,000-square-foot habitat at Wildseed Farms. Designed to facilitate breeding, Butterfly Haus is a sanctuary for migrating butterflies. Join the Monarch Celebration every October when staff and visitors tag monarch butterflies as they travel through Central Texas. Butterfly Haus is open March to October. It's recommended guests contact the facility prior to visiting.
100 Legacy Drive
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
The Cockrell Butterfly Center, in Houston's Museum of Natural Science, is a three-story butterfly garden complete with a 50-foot waterfall and exotic habitat. The center promotes butterfly conservation and education. Greenhouses on the museum's roof harbor plants grown for the butterfly habitat. Elevators provide access for handicapped visitors.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
One Hermann Circle Drive
Houston, TX 77030
Located in South Texas, the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) International Butterfly Park is a 100-acre sanctuary and refuge for migrating butterflies. The park's focus is research, education and conservation. Guided tours are held every Sunday. The facility is open Tuesday through Sunday.
NABA International Butterfly Park
Mission Park Drive
Mission, TX 78573
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