Join us late May 2026 when we reopen!
Step into a world of color, movement, and wonder inside our Butterfly Atrium, where native and exotic butterflies flutter freely around you in every stage of their lifecycle.
From delicate chrysalides to newly emerged wings taking flight, it is an up-close experience that delights children and adults alike.
Discover which nectar plants and host plants each butterfly species depends on, and gather inspiration to create your own pollinator-friendly garden at home.
Bring the whole family for a memorable outing, ask our knowledgeable staff your butterfly and planting questions, and enjoy this unique experience together. Admission is always free!
Pollination is the process of moving pollen from one flower to another of the same species, which produces fertile seeds. Almost all flowering plants need to be pollinated. Some plants are pollinated by wind or water, and some are even self-pollinating. Pollinators are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems. They are essential for plant reproduction and produce genetic diversity, allowing for plants to adapt to changes in their environment.
When a butterfly lands on a flower to drink nectar, the flower’s pollen becomes attached, and as the butterfly moves from flower to flower drinking more nectar, the pollen is transferred. Once the pollen from one flower is brushed off onto another flower, it is caught on the female part of the flower, called the pistil.
Pollinators are “best” adapted to local, native plants, which often need less water than ornamentals. Plant big patches of each plant species for better foraging. Flowers should bloom in your garden throughout the growing season; plant willow, violet, and mayapple for spring flowers, and aster, joe-pye weed, and goldenrod for fall flowers. Butterflies favor platform-shaped sunflower and aster, but will feed on a diversity of nectar-rich flowers from violet to serviceberry. They prefer red, purple, or yellow flowers with sweet scents.
