Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden presents an inspiring and practical three-part workshop series for adults who want to create backyard gardens that truly support butterflies.
Gardens for Butterflies is led by Karen Shaw, Brush Turkey Enterprises and Forest Heart Eco‑nursery. The workshops draw on Karen’s deep passion for native plant diversity and her long-standing commitment to fostering healthy, resilient habitats. Across the series, you’ll discover how butterflies use gardens at every life stage, why the right plants matter, and how thoughtful design and maintenance can turn your backyard into genuine butterfly habitat.
- Design: Participants will explore the butterfly life cycle and discover why gardens need more than nectar‑rich flowers to truly support butterflies. Learn how to combine host and nectar plants and use thoughtful garden design—sun, shelter, water and connected plantings—to support butterflies at every stage of life, with a living example tour of the new Butterfly Garden. The session includes a hands‑on planning activity, where you can sketch a simple garden or planting plan tailored to your own space.
- Plant selection: Karen will unpack the crucial role plant diversity plays in butterfly survival. You’ll discover why planting “any old flower” isn’t enough, learn how adult butterflies and caterpillars rely on very specific host plants, and uncover surprising stories of local species that depend on a single vine to survive—while similar‑looking invasive plants can be deadly. Karen will share practical guidance on choosing the right native plants, planning for seasonal succession, and sourcing or growing your own plants, along with a guided plant identification session and optional take‑home plant list.
- Care and Observation: The final workshop focuses on butterfly garden care and long‑term success, helping you build confidence to support the butterfly habitat you're creating through every season. You’ll learn practical, pollinator‑friendly gardening techniques—from avoiding pesticides and managing pests naturally to creating microhabitats with water, mulch and shelter. The session includes a guided butterfly observation walk, tips for recording and photographing sightings, and simple ways to contribute to citizen science, so you can enjoy, monitor and celebrate the butterflies your garden supports over time.
Gardens for Butterflies will inspire and equip you to create thriving, butterfly‑friendly gardens—from first plantings to long‑term success.
Registration is essential, $20 per workshop.
| Date | Time | Topic | Tickets |
| Friday 24th April | 9.30am - 11.30am | Designing a Garden for Butterflies | Register here |
| Saturday 16th May | 9.30am - 11.30am | Selecting Plants for Your Butterfly Garden | Register here |
| Thursday 28th May | 9.30am - 11.30am | Butterfly Garden Care, Observation & Ongoing Success | Register here |