Butterfly activity is highest during the summer, though you will still be able to see a number of species throughout the year. Here's a list of Butterfly Gardens to visit at Botanical, Zoo or Public Gardens throughout the Southwest.

ARIZONA:
Desert Botanical Garden - Phoenix: Nestled amid the red buttes of Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden hosts one of the world’s finest collections of desert plants. Visit their Maxine & Jonathan Marshall Butterfly Pavilion Spring Exhibit, and enjoy walking among hundreds of butterflies fluttering about and watch as new butterflies emerge from their chrysalides in the emergence chamber. The exhibit highlights the beauty and diversity of North America’s butterflies. Open March-May. www.desertbotanical.org
Patagonia Butterfly Garden: A popular birding destination, Patagonia also attracts hundreds of colorful butterfly species which migrate through the area during the warmer months. A community effort, the Patagonia Butterfly Garden is located on the south side of the Town Park, and is a haven for these beautiful creatures - especially during summer months.  www.patagoniaaz.com/community_orgs.html
The Arboretum at Flagstaff: Featuring over 2500 species of high-elevation plants, this arboretum is home to one of the largest collections of high country wildflowers in America, and offers daily guided tours, several miles of trail to explore, over 100 bird species to view, classes and workshops, and a unique Butterfly Garden. Astronomers at Lowell Observatory designed their Butterfly Garden in the shape of a butterfly by using a sophisticated computer program used for astronomical studies. The body of the butterfly is the main path through the garden and the veins in the wings are the secondary paths. They are closed during the winter season. www.thearb.org
Tucson Botanical Gardens: Their Butterfly Garden includes a variety of low-water-use plants that attract butterflies in both the larval and adult stages of their life cycles. Signs illustrate many of the butterflies that can be found in southern Arizona gardens. http://www.tucsonbotanical.org

CALIFORNIA:
Balboa Park - San Diego: Balboa Park is acclaimed for its horticultural treasures – a host of glorious gardens including an award-winning rose garden and a butterfly garden; rare plant species; 58 different varieties of palm trees; and an outstanding Botanical Building housing over 2,000 different tropical plants. All these botanical marvels are set among manicured lawns, shady groves of majestic trees or nestled within peaceful vistas. www.balboapark.org
McConnell Arboretum and Gardens at Turtle Bay Exploration Park - Redding: Home to a variety of gardens at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, visit their Butterfly Garden. It features both nectar and host plants for butterflies. Several species of butterflies visit the garden, particularly on warm days. Insecticides, even organic ones, are kept to a minimum throughout the gardens, in part to encourage butterflies and other beneficial insects to visit. Info: www.turtlebay.org
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens - Palm Desert:  The various botanical gardens at The Living Desert are absolutely incredible and feature a wide array of plant life that flourishes in the harsh desert climate, and provide an educational and enriching experience for their many visitors. Their McDonald Butterfly and Wildflower Garden features plants that attract migrating butterflies. The Living Desert is located at 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. Info (760) 346-5694, www.livingdesert.org 

UTAH:
Thanksgiving Point - Lehi: Visit the Thanksgiving Garden which covers 55 acres with a series of gardens motivated by themes - The Creek Garden, the Monet Garden, the Rose Garden, the Fragrance Garden, the Secret Garden, the Italian Garden, the Butterfly Garden, the Parterre Garden, the Vista Garden, and the Waterfall Garden. Thanksgiving Point is just 20 minutes south of Salt Lake City, and located at 3003 North Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, UT. Info: (888) 672-6040

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