October 28, 2025
They’re here! The fall migration of monarch butterflies runs through Texas, as the long-haul flyers make their way to wintering grounds in Mexico. Today they showed up by the dozens in my garden, fueling up for the remainder of their journey.
They rode in on a gusty north wind that’s bringing our first real taste of fall this week. I picture them surfing the crest of the cold front, cruising with the wind at their tail.
In my garden they homed in on white mistflower, a Texas native and their clear favorite. They also nectared on evergreen sumac flowers, plumbago, fall aster, ‘Country Girl’ mum, ‘Mystic Spires’ salvia, Turk’s cap, and Mexican honeysuckle. They pretty much ignored golden thryallis and Darcy’s sage, to my surprise.
Monarch on white mistflower, which also attracts bees and other small butterflies. It’s fragrant too!
Dark blue plumbago (Plumbago auriculata) proved to be a favorite as well, and not only for monarchs. Migrating cloudless sulphur butterflies stopped for a sip too.
Monarch navigating a gust of wind to approach a plumbago flower.
Success! Godspeed, butterflies.
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Digging Deeper
My new book, Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State, is here! Find it on Amazon, other online book sellers, and in stores everywhere. It’ll make a great holiday gift for anyone who loves gardens or the natural beauty of Texas. More info here.
Come see me on tour! I’m speaking in cities across Texas to celebrate the release of Gardens of Texas. Appearances in November include: The Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham on 11/1; Garden Spark in Austin on 11/6; Travis County Open Day Tour at Belmont Pkwy Garden in Austin on 11/8; Redenta’s Garden Shop in Dallas on 11/15; North Haven Gardens in Dallas on 11/16; Wichita River Native Plant Society of Texas in Wichita Falls on 11/17; Grapevine Garden Club in Grapevine on 11/18, and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin on 11/22. Join me to learn, be inspired, and get a signed copy of the book!
Nov. 6: Learn about garden design and ecology at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. The next talk on 11/6 is my own — a presentation on resilient Texas gardens! Tickets available here. Subscribe to Garden Spark by clicking here to email — subject line: SUBSCRIBE.
Nov. 8: Tour 5 Austin gardens on the Open Day Tour for Travis County, sponsored by the Garden Conservancy. I’ll be at the Belmont Parkway Garden with a book-signing table for Gardens of Texas, so come say hi! Tickets for each garden must be purchased online in advance, and some gardens limit attendance, so reserve your spot early. Find full details and ticket links here.
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