Montgomery Parks announced this week that The Butterfly Experience will return to Brookside Gardens from April 10 through September 21.
Formerly known as Wings of Fancy, the seasonal exhibit allows visitors to observe hundreds of vibrant live butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa, and Asia as they flutter among the colorful flowers in Brookside Gardens’ South Conservatory.
Trained staff and volunteers will showcase the stages of metamorphosis, emphasize the essential role butterflies play in healthy ecosystems, and provide tips on how to help these beautiful insects thrive.
Advanced timed tickets for The Butterfly Experience exhibit are now available for $9 (ages 3-12) and $14 (ages 13 and older).
Brookside Gardens, a 50-acre botanical oasis recognized as one of Yelp’s Top 25 Gardens in North America, showcases beautifully designed landscapes, seasonal and permanent displays, and two conservatories.
Throughout the year, the Gardens attract over one million visitors to engaging programs and events for children and adults, including the summer live butterfly exhibit and winter light display.
Montgomery Parks is currently seeking volunteers to help with The Butterfly Experience.
“We’re very excited The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens is back, and we know the community is, too,” said Brookside Gardens Director Stephanie Oberle. “The exhibit is better than ever. Visitors will be immersed in a dazzling display of butterflies from around the world while learning the important roles these pollinators play in a variety of ecosystems. We can’t wait for everyone to visit.”
Brookside Gardens is located at 1800 Glenallan Avenue in Wheaton. More information about The Butterfly Experience is available online at montgomeryparks.org.
Photo: “Heart-spotted Heliconian – Heliconius hecale,Brookside Gardens ‘Wings of Fancy’, Wheaton, Maryland” by Judy Gallagher is licensed under CC BY 2.0.