Butterfly Garden

Queen Butterfly

Butterflies and moths are the movie stars of the insect world.  Most other six-legged creatures seem drab compared to these colorful, graceful aviators. Though they may look fragile butterflies and moths are quite tough and their acrobatics keep them away from hungry jaws  and beaks.  Butterflies and moths bring each spring to life by pollinating flowers and by changing from homely caterpillars to lovely adults, they have become lasting symbols of hope and rebirth.  

                     Skipper Butterfly

The Butterfly Garden at Harry P. Leu Gardens is located adjacent to the Cottage in the center of the garden.  More than one hundred different plants have been incorporated into the design and attracts butterflies twelve months a year.  There are two types of plants used in the butterfly garden; nectar and larval plants.  Nectar plants usually have showy flowers, bright colors and may be fragrant.  The nectar plants provide a food source for the butterfly.  Larval plants are those plants on which the butterflies lay their eggs.  After hatching, the young caterpillar begins to eat the leaves of the plants -- that's why most of the larval plants look a bit unkempt.  Labels within the garden will tell you which are larval and which are nectar plants.  

                    Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Some of the plants which can be seen in the Butterfly Garden are: