Butterflies & Blooms exhibit back for its second year

The Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe brought back its popular Butterflies & Blooms exhibit for a second season this year.

Butterflies from such faraway places as South America, Asia and Africa, as well as North America can be viewed in the 2,800-square-foot mesh enclosure on the lawn of the Learning Campus.

“Every week there are different plants blooming and new species of butterflies emerging,” said Courtney Quigley, seasonal assitant horticulturist for the exhibit.

Up to 500 butterflies can be seen on most visits. Visitors can also observe butterflies emerging through a window into the pupa emergence room. In addition to the native butterflies we commonly see in the area such as monarchs (Danaus plexippus), visitors will find exotic butterflies such as the blue morpho (Morpho peleides), owl butterfly (Caligo memnon) and emerald swallowtail (Papilio palinurus).

The butterflies feast on the tropical nectar from such plants as hummingbird sage (Salvia coccinea), ‘Citrus Blend’ lantana (Lantana camara), sweet almond verbena (Aloysia virgata), star flower (Pentas lanceolata), and firebush (Hamelia patens).

For a cost of $300, groups of up to 20 people can get exclusive access to the exhibit for a private photo session from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. through Aug. 22. Tripods are allowed in the exhibit only for these sessions. Call (847) 835-6801.

Exhibition hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (weather permitting) through Sept. 2. Cost is $6 for adults; $5 seniors; $4 children (3-12). Members receive $1 discount. Visit chicagobotanic.org/butterflies for more information.