Festival of Butterflies
July 25-August 9 |  9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Festival Admission Applies | Members are FREE
Flit and flutter out to Powell Gardens for this annual event focused on our favorite pollinator! Enjoy hands-on activities, interact with expert community partners, and walk among the winged beauties in the tropical conservatory display and Native Butterfly Habitat.

Carl and Jean Chinnery Lower Deck Garden
Location: David T. Beals III Woodland & Stream Garden

After exiting the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden, follow the path into the cool cover of the David T. Beals III Woodland & Stream Garden. To your right you will notice an observation deck surrounded by shade-loving perennial plants and directly adjacent to the flowing water for which the Woodland & Stream Garden was named.

The Bob and Sally West Arbor Garden
Location: The Perennial Garden

This shady spot, near the water’s edge of our 12-acre lake, is covered in twisting wisteria vines that bloom in late-spring but provide interest (and shade) all year long. Enjoy a restful seat under the arbor to enjoy the scenic view across the water.

The Fountain Garden
Location: Visitor Center Landscape

This 42-foot diameter water feature showcases a refreshing spray for cooling off. Sit on the low walls surrounding the fountain and enjoy the beauty of the display beds in this garden space.

Showy Spot: Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden
Best Time to Visit: late-July to August

The tiered pools of the Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden display a number of aquatic plants including nearly 40 varieties of water lilies. Watch for colorful goldfish swimming among the plants.

Showy Spot: Arvin Gottlieb Foundation Daylily Path
Best Time to Visit: mid-June to mid-July

The bulk of the Powell Gardens’ daylily collection is installed in the sunny Perennial Garden. You can experience a variety of bold summer color along the winding brick path. Additional varieties of this edible flower are available to view in the Heartland Harvest Garden.

Showy Spot: Heartland Harvest Garden Villandry
Best Time to Visit: mid-June to late-August

The design of the Villandry in the Heartland Harvest Garden was inspired by the Gardens of the Chateau Villandry in the Loire Valley in France. The geometric patterns of the beds are planted with edible material with an attention to aesthetic as well as seasonal interest. The beds reflect themes of global flavors, seed-to-plate education, the farm-to-table movement.

Showy Spot: Native Butterfly Habitat
Featured Plants: Butterfly Bush, Zinnias, Lantana, Coneflower, Milkweed
Best Time to Visit: July to August

Located on the gravel path near the Children’s Education Garden, this space was developed to foster native butterfly species during the season. Live caterpillars and butterflies are installed here to educate on their life cycle and the host and nectar plants needed to sustain them.