Spring is around the corner as the butterflies bloom at Frederik Meijer Gardens

By Anna Johns
WKTV Contributing Writer

An Emerald Swallowtail is just one of the many butterflies visitors will see at this year’s “Butterflies are Blooming.” (Supplied)

Bold butterflies are flying in for Spring! The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park’s annual Fred and Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition is back.

Beginning March 1 through April 30 thousands of butterflies will be taking over the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. The 15,000 square-foot conservatory is set at 85 degrees with 70 percent humidity. New this year is the kokedama arch that is filled with colorful penta, lantana, bromeliads, and orchids. During the exhibition, several flowers will be blooming including orange plume, blue porter weed, jatropha, queen’s wreath, and bleeding heart vines.

This year’s exhibition highlights the power of flowers and the positive and powerful impact flowers have on butterflies, people, and the world.

“Our goal is to bring an awareness of the important relationships butterflies and humans have with flowers, and to show the positive and powerful impact flowers have on butterflies, people, and the world,” said Steve LaWarre, Vice President of Horticulture.

More than 60 species of butterflies reside in the warm, lush environment of the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. These creatures come from butterfly-rich regions around the world including parts of Asia, Africa, and Central & South America. Every week an average of 1,000 pupae arrive at the gardens and guests can view the new arrivals at the observation station. At this station, the conservatory staff collects and releases adult butterflies throughout the day.

The Caterpillar Room, in the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, features monarch caterpillars. The greenhouse is filled with milkweed host plants for the hungry caterpillars to feed on.

At the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden, young guests can participate in outdoor activities. The children’s garden has unique educational activities for all ages to enjoy. In the Log Cabin guests can perform their own butterfly-themed puppet shows or read about moths and butterflies. The garden features a special Treehouse Village hunt, a Butterfly Maze, and the Monarch’s Migration game. Check the Children’s Garden Information Center for activities and times, which vary daily.

Through the exhibition, the gardens will be putting on several special events and recurring activities including:

The Lena Conservatory will be filled with an array of different butterflies from March 1 to April 31. (Supplied)

Outdoor Children’s Activities

March 1 – Friday, April 30, daylight hours only

Lena Meijer Children’s Garden

Included with admission

Tuesday Night Lights

Included with admission

Bring your flashlight on Tuesday nights until 9 p.m. to search for butterflies and see the nightlife in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory.

SMART Gardening to Support Monarchs (Lecture)

March 13, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Included with admission

Dr. Erwin “Duke” Elsner Extension Educator, Michigan State University, will explore simple ways landowners and gardeners can support monarch butterfly populations in their own backyards. During his presentation he will highlight simple ways to create a significant “green space” in urban and residential areas.

Flower House Detroit (Lecture)

March 27, 2 p.m.

Included with admission

Lisa Waud, Botanical Artist, Flower House Detroit

In October 2015, 37 floral designers and more than 100 volunteers from across North America came together to fill an abandoned Detroit house with American-grown fresh flowers and living plants. In this lecture, botanical installation artist, Lisa Waud will be presenting virtually to the audience at Meijer Gardens. She will be sharing her project from idea to exploration along with her thoughts on beauty, blight, and nostalgia, and the themes of risk-taking, logistics, and collaboration through the lens of the large-scale installation.

Flower Power Exploration Stations

April 24, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Included with admission

Learn about flowers and butterflies during a self guided drop-in program. Guests can use microscopes and IPads as they explore the connection between flowers and butterflies.

Night With The Butterflies – Family Parties

March 14, March 20, April 18, 6 – 8 p.m.

This party will include entertainment, an art activity, and a light snack.

To register, visit: https://bit.ly/FMGpartiesBAB

Morning With The Butterflies – Family Parties

April 10, April 24, 9 – 11 a.m.

This party will include entertainment, an art activity, and a light snack.

To register, visit: https://bit.ly/FMGpartiesBAB

Night with the Butterflies – Member Adult Party

March 28, 7 – 8 p.m.

Members 18 and older can enjoy a night of entertainment, alongside art activities, a photo booth, and a cash-only bar with a light snack.

Those visiting are encouraged to be courteous to others when taking photos. Tripods are not allowed during the exhibit. (Supplied)

To register, visit: https://bit.ly/FMGpartiesBAB

Extended Hours & Exhibition Activities: More information at MeijerGardens.org/calendar

The gardens request that all visitors wear a face mask in indoor public settings regardless of their vaccination status. During the exhibition, tripods are not allowed in the conservatory and monopods may only be used with courtesy around other guests. No butterfly or plant materials can be removed from the conservatory and guests are not permitted to touch the butterflies.

The exhibit runs through April 30. Members can attend the exhibit for free, while students and children receive a discount. For more details about the butterfly exhibition, visit www.meijergardens.org