Spring Showers bring May flowers

Butterflies in bloom at the Dow Garden

by Latoya Williams

Before you enter the house of butterflies the workers will greet you at the next set of doors, giving you a set of instructions to help protect the delicate little creatures that could be just about anywhere. 

When you enter the conservatory, the warmth of the 87-degree moist rainforest climate immediately hits you, fogging up all the glass in the room.

Watching different people hold the big blue Morpho, also known as the Morpho Menelaus, which has an 8-inch vibrant blue wingspan that makes it one of the largest butterflies in the world.

What I found to be most fascinating about this gorgeous printed South American insect is that their lifespan only lasts 3 to 4 weeks from egg to death.

Another vibrant species is called the Julia butterfly, also known as the Dryas Julia. These lovely bright, orange-colored butterflies are said to get their sodium intake from drinking the tears of turtles.

With these beauties having a longer adult life span there’s no doubt you could find a few of these people-friendly social flies’ in the Dow garden.

This interactive exhibit is available now through April 14 Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. To purchase tickets go to dowgardens.com. 

There is so much more to experience at the Gardens that will fill you with the sensorial wonder of nature, like the three plus miles of trails and the 1400-foot-long canopy walk that rises 40 feet above the park’s floor.

It is sure to be a day well spent whether you are on a date, spending time with your family, in need of a place to meditate or just to clear your mind. Dow Gardens will definitely satisfy all your outdoor activities.

Beyond the conservatory, the experience continues along the winding trails that stretch throughout Dow Gardens and into Whiting Forest. These well-maintained paths guide visitors past quiet ponds, open meadows and shaded groves of towering pines, offering a peaceful contrast to the warm, lively butterfly house. 

The trails eventually lead to the Canopy Walk, an elevated pathway that rises above the forest floor and allows you to view the landscape from a completely different perspective, surrounded by treetops and fresh air. Whether you’re walking at ground level or high above the forest, the trails, the park-like scenery or conservatory, come together to create a space where nature feels immersive, calming and unforgettable.