Meijer Gardens' Butterfly Exhibition to Showcase Tropical Butterflies from Four Continents

Grand Rapids, MI - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park's annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition will bring more than 7,000 tropical butterflies to West Michigan beginning March 1. Arriving from Africa, Asia, South and Central America, Butterflies are Blooming is the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation.

Approximately 60 colorful species will fly freely in the five-story Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. At 85 degrees and 70 percent humidity, this balmy environment mimics tropical regions the butterflies arrive from.

Species of butterflies include the blue Common Morpho, whose iridescence impresses in flight, brushfoot varies like the Clearwing, Lacewing and Zebra Mosaic. Likewise, the Longwings captivate with distinctive patterns as seen in the Blue, Doris, Postman and Tiger. Gliders like the Emperor, Ruby-spotted and Tropical Swallowtails will also add to the variety.

"This year, our exhibition is truly a feast for the eyes," explained Steve LaWarre, director of horticulture. "We've added more tropical blooms for butterflies to nectar on as well as to enhance the overall experience."

Taking center stage this year, over 900 nectar plants support the butterflies while they make Meijer Gardens their home. These nectar plants will be complimented by displays of vivid blooms that add color and dimension to this exhibition. Look for "Maui Red" lxora plants, the most colorful member of the coffee family, and "Cranberry Punch" and "Ruby Glow" pentas which feature tiny star-shaped flowers laden with nectar.

More than 800 pupae arrive at Meijer Gardens weekly. Visitors can watch as delicate chrysalides and cocoons are placed in the Butterfly Bungalow, where adult butterflies and moths emerge and spread their wings for the first time. The Caterpillar Room, located within The Seasonal Display Greenhouse, features Monarch caterpillars. Visitors can watch as the caterpillars feed on tropical milkweed plants and after two weeks of tremendous growth, the caterpillars will look for a suitable place to form their chrysalides.

This much-loved exhibition attracts more than 170,000 visitors from all over the nation each year.

Exhibition Activities:

"Who Am I?" A Butterfly Ballet
Saturdays, March 12 OR 19, 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

Fee: $5 members/$8 non-members; Free for ages 2 years and younger

Choreographed by Attila Mosolygo, performed by members of the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company and narrated by Errol Shewman

Developed in collaboration with Grand Rapids Ballet, this unique performance highlights characteristics of butterflies through dance. Don't miss this thoroughly delightful butterfly ballet. Told through the eyes of a newly emerged butterfly, the story will captivate young and old alike. With colorful costumes, spectacular music and exquisite choreography, this enchanting performance will provide a unique and memorable experience. Participate in interactive dance activities before the performance and take advantage of photo-ops on stage with the dancers afterward. Register online at MeijerGardens.org or call 616-975-3144. An American Sign Language interpreter will be provided for the 10 a.m. performance on March 19 (Reservations for this service are required, please call 616-975-3144 by March 17).

Children's Activities
Saturday, March 1-Wednesday, April 30, daylight hours only
In the Lena Meijer Children's Garden
Included with admission

Once you have observed caterpillars in the Seasonal Display Greenhouse and butterflies in the TropicalConservatory, come out to the Children's Garden for some engaging outdoor education. Enjoy activities such as flying like a butterfly in clever lifecycle costumes, performing imaginative butterfly puppet shows, search for butterfly and moth lifecycle stages in a special Treehouse Village hunt and navigate the Butterfly Maze. There's something for all ages. Activities vary daily. Check the Information Center for what is happening each day.

Tuesday Night Lights
Included with admission

Bring your flashlight on Tuesday nights until 9 p.m. to see the nightlife in the Tropical Conservatory.

The exhibition is made possible by lead sponsor DTE Energy Foundation, and sponsors Foremost Graphics Group, The Meijer Foundation, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation, Botanic and Sculpture Societies of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. This year's media sponsors are Channel 95.7 FM and 100.5 FM The River.??

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