Blooming Butterflies

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courtesy Olbrich Gardens

Blooming Butterflies is an annual summer event at Olbrich Gardens.

Blooming Butterflies is an annual summer event at Olbrich Gardens.

While the outdoor gardens are the place to be in the summer, there’s good reason to head into the Bolz Conservancy as well. It is magical to see butterflies — up to 19 species — inhabiting the tropical dome. Sharp-eyed visitors may even witness a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis. The theme continues in the outdoor gardens with a kids pollinator scavenger hunt. Butterfly Action Day (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Aug. 2) will present booths highlighting ways to help threatened butterfly populations.

media release: Blooming Butterflies features up to 19 different species of free flying butterflies in the tropical Bolz Conservatory. Visitors make connections with these fluttering friends while learning about the butterfly life cycle. Two chrysalis cases provide opportunities to possibly witness a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis!

Regular hours are 10 am-4 pm daily, July 18-Aug. 11.

Admission paid at the door - no advance reservations: $8 - Adults (ages 13 & up); $5 - Children (ages 6 - 12); Free - ages 5 & under; Free for Olbrich Members. Free admission through the AHS Reciprocal Garden Network is not available during this fundraising event. The outdoor gardens remain free.

During Blooming Butterflies, the outdoor gardens spotlight relationships between plants and pollinators with an 'I SPY' Pollinators scavenger hunt. A pollinator themed children's book is displayed as a StoryWalk along Starkweather Creek. And every child that attends Blooming Butterflies receives a coupon for a free junior scoop from our friends at Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream!

You can prepare for your visit by watching the Blooming Butterflies welcome video.

The life span of different butterflies varies from a few weeks to a few months. All flying butterflies live out their natural lives in the Conservatory, with food sources remaining for them after the exhibit dates.

Special events:

Member Preview Day is Wednesday, July 17 | 10 am - 4 pm: Be the first to see the live butterflies in the Bolz Conservatory! Olbrich members get an exclusive sneak peak of the exhibit one day before we open to the public. This preview event is open to Olbrich members only. Consider joining today!

Butterfly Bike Parade is Saturday, July 27 | 11 am: You're invited to join a FREE community bike ride to spread milkweed seed balls along the bike path greenway! The Butterfly Bike Parade begins at Tenney Beach Parking (1300 Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53703). The route follows 3 miles of bike path and ends at Olbrich Gardens. Butterfly costumes and bike decorations are welcome! Each child that participates in the butterfly bike parade will receive complimentary admission to Blooming Butterflies. Bike helmets required.

Butterfly Action Day is Friday, August 2 | 10 am - 2 pm: Join us for a special day with representatives from local organizations invested in butterfly conservation! Display booths and kid-friendly activities in the Learning Center will highlight what you can do to support butterflies. No cost to attend or participate, but there is a separate cost to enter Blooming Butterflies.

Bike Valet Parking & Tune Ups Saturdays, August 3 & 10 | 10 am - 4 pm: Bike to Blooming Butterflies on Saturday, August 3 or August 10 and enjoy FREE bike valet parking and tune-ups courtesy of our friends at Dream Bikes. Plus, anyone who bikes to Blooming Butterflies throughout the exhibit will receive a stylish ‘Bike for Butterflies’ sticker and a packet of milkweed seeds.

Group Visits to Blooming Butterflies: School groups, daycares, camps, bus tours, and other groups are welcome to visit Olbrich's Blooming Butterflies. We hope you will join us for this truly amazing event and register your group for a visit.

Groups larger than 10 people must register in advance. Please call 608-245-3648 to schedule a time for your group to visit so we can provide the best experience possible for you as well as for other visitors. Limited dates and times may be available for group visits.

For adult groups visiting, one group leader will receive free admission into the exhibit. For youth groups visiting, one adult for every ten children will receive free admission into the exhibit, and any additional adults will be charged the regular admission pricing.

Payment can be made on arrival with the Event Manager. Cash, check, debit, or credit card are accepted. Please do not bring carry-in food or drink into the building. Outdoor picnic areas are available nearby.

Accessibility at Blooming Butterflies: Wheelchairs and motorized scooters are welcome in the Bolz Conservatory during Blooming Butterflies. House wheelchairs and electric scooters are available to check out on a first-come, first-served basis in Olbrich's lobby. All entrances are equipped with power doors and all restrooms are accessible.

Strollers: For the enjoyment of all visitors, the use of strollers is discouraged inside the Conservatory. Stroller parking is available in the lobby.