Butterfly Gardens at TWU

The wilder, the better for looks and pollinators and biodiversity in general. The butterfly gardens are in full blooms now, here are some representative photos. Ehjoy!

Same species, three variations. This is biodiversity in action.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) colors can range from deep magenta to pale pink, or even turn out double-faced in a genetic mutation called fasciation.

Fasciation is harmless and creates a "double-faced" or multi-headed appearance, like this Coneflower in our gardens.

We're still buzzing from Texas Wildflower Day 🐝

A massive thank you to everyone who joined us. From the incredible insights on conservation and native plant gardening from our speakers to the community that came out to learn how they can make an impact.

See conservation in action at with Native Plant Society of Texas members Carol Clark and Kathy Saucier! 🌿

Carol will present "Planting for Monarchs and Other Pollinators" and host a Milkweed seed germination demonstration.

Kathy will teach us the art of identifying winter seedlings in her presentation, "Winter Rosettes & Seedlings for Identification". 🔎

Joining us for next is: Cory Ames.

Cory is a Texas storyteller focused on the people, plants, and places shaping a more sustainable future. Get ready to see the Lone Star State through a new lens. 🇨🇱

Check him out on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/

Planning to join us for Texas Wildflower Day? 🌸 Don’t arrive empty-handed! 📖

We are thrilled to host Mary Curry, author of the award-winning North Central Texas Wildflowers: Field Guide, for a special book signing. The newly released Second Edition features over 1,700 photos and identifies 427 local species—it’s the ultimate companion for your Texas nature walks!

⚠️ PRO TIP: Books will not be sold on-site. To get your copy signed, please order it ahead of time here: https://www.npsot.org/posts/books/north-central-texas-wildflowers-field-guide/

Our next speaker feature for is: Monika Maeckle.

As an author and journalist, Monika brings deep insight into the Monarch migration and the "multitasking" plants our Texas ecosystem depends on.

You can pick up her books, "The Monarch Migration: its Rise and Fall" and "Plants with Purpose: Twenty-five Ecosystem Multitaskers" in the campus store before or day of Texas Wildflower Day 2026. 📖

Today is the FINAL DAY to enter your photo in our Pollinator Garden Photo Contest 📸🐝

Captured a butterfly, a bee interacting with a beautiful bloom? Now’s the time to share it.

📅 Entries due April 13.

Winners will be announced at Texas Wildflower Day
📅 April 24–25, 2026
https://twu.edu/butterfly-garden/texas-wildflower-day/

Big news! 📢 Our speakers for 2026 have been announced.

First, meet our keynote: Kim Eierman, Founder of EcoBeneficial LLC.

Author of "The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening", Kim will show us how ecological gardening can save our pollinators. Don't miss her "Walk & Talk" tour in the garden on Saturday. 🦋

You can also pick up her book in the campus store before or on the day of Texas Wildflower Day 2026. 📖