At Brookside Gardens, the annual Butterfly Experience is once again drawing visitors into a vibrant, tropical environment filled with fluttering wings, colorful blooms, and an important message about conservation.
Inside the conservatory, guests encounter dozens of butterfly species from around the world, carefully curated to inspire both awe and awareness. Raymond Carter, the conservatory manager, oversees the exhibit and its rotating installations throughout the year.
“I curate the collections of our permanent tropical and subtropical species, and I also oversee all of our programs and our installations,” Carter explained.
The Butterfly Experience is the longest-running seasonal exhibit at the gardens, designed to showcase a diverse mix of species while educating the public. “We try to showcase a mixture of domestic species and exotic species, the big colorful butterflies, right alongside something you may find in your own backyard.”
This thoughtful balance allows visitors to connect global biodiversity with their own local environment. From the striking blue morpho to more subtle native species, the exhibit highlights differences in color, size, and behavior, offering a deeper understanding of butterfly biology.
Beyond their beauty, butterflies are essential to the ecosystem. Carter emphasized their role not only as pollinators but also as a critical link in the food chain.
“Most people will tell you that as a pollinator, they are the second most important pollinator behind bees,” he said. “But they’re also incredibly important for bird populations.” Caterpillars, he noted, provide a major food source for migratory birds.
The exhibit is designed to leave a lasting impression. Visitors are encouraged to move beyond admiration and take action. “Having people come in with a sense of awe and wonder and then leave feeling activated, a call to action to plant things in their own garden,” Carter said.
Maintaining the exhibit requires recreating the ideal environment for tropical and subtropical species. Warm temperatures and high humidity are essential, not only for the butterflies but also for the plants that sustain them.
Horticulturist Carlos Rodríguez helps ensure everything runs smoothly day to day. From monitoring plant health to receiving butterfly shipments, his role is hands-on and dynamic.
One of the most exciting aspects of the exhibit happens behind closed doors. Butterfly shipments arrive regularly, and even the staff doesn’t know exactly what species will be included.
“I call it Christmas morning every Tuesday and Friday,” Rodríguez said. “We get a shipment and each time we open it, we’re finding out what we’re getting.”
The Butterfly Experience runs through Sept. 7, with species living out their life cycles within the conservatory. While lifespans vary, the exhibit ensures each butterfly thrives in a carefully managed environment.
Ultimately, the experience is about connection between people, plants, and pollinators.
