Surrounded by peaceful woodlands and native prairies is Bellevue State Park’s butterfly garden. This one-acre garden is separated into five sections and offers a wide variety of perennials, annuals and native Iowa plant species. This diverse array of plants provides not only an outstanding show of color but also numerous resources for Iowa’s pollinators.
June through early September offers prime viewing in the garden. The walking paths among the flowers are peaceful and relaxing as you experience a connection with nature. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camera to capture those moments when the light and the temperatures are just right and the garden springs to life.
The Passion
The Butterfly Garden, thought to be the first in the State of Iowa, was designed in 1984 by local volunteer and butterfly advocate Judy Pooler. After months of plant research followed by intensive ground work, the garden officially “opened” in 1985. The original design included 140 individual plots and engaged over 100 volunteers to host and maintain each plot. Over a period of 10 years, volunteers aged, the plants thrived but also outgrew their spaces, and finally the plot partitions were removed for what was thought to be the ending of the designated safe space for butterflies.
However, 35 years later in 2020, a new group of volunteers emerged. This group was excited to rejuvenate the garden with a more relaxed “cottage” design to showcase and encourage visitors how to duplicate this easy gardening style in their own backyards. This tranquil garden is adorned with an informal and naturalistic layout of flowering plants that appeal to butterflies, birds, and bees and features a pond that is popular with wildlife, children, and frogs, alike.
The Plants
This garden houses a variety of perennial and annual plants that provide a beautifully colorful space. Perennials are a garden’s foundation. They provide texture, bright colors, and a variety of forms. By definition, a perennial has a lifespan of at least two years, but often lasts much longer. Perennials can be cut back in late fall or they can be left standing over the winter season to provide shelter for insects and bees as well as provide visual seasonal interest during the winter months. A perennial garden is a nectar source to pollinators where you will often see busy bees and butterflies enjoying the nectar from the plants. Examples of perennials in the butterfly garden include coneflowers, irises, peonies, hibiscus, delphinium, salvia, yarrow, dianthus, blanket flowers, catmint, and garden phlox.
Annual plants perform their entire lifecycle from seed to flower in a single growing season. Clusters of annual flowers are scattered throughout the garden for a burst of color that changes annually. At the end of the season the seeds are collected and used in educational programs or replanted into the garden the following spring. Annuals are a great addition to any garden as they are fast flowering plants sure to attract bees and butterflies. Examples of annual plants in the butterfly garden include marigolds, zinnias, celosia, cosmos, and snow on the mountain.
Native prairie plants are incorporated into the butterfly garden because they improve soil quality, benefit pollinators, and are easy to maintain. Prairie plants are considered perennials as they grow back for many years. Before agriculture, prairie plants once covered the Iowa landscape and are credited for the rich fertile soils in Iowa. Adapting to the environment around them, prairie plants establish long root systems that can access water stored underground during dry periods while also providing water lines through the soil during large rainfalls. Because of their roots, prairie plants can withstand the variations in Iowa’s climate with very little maintenance. Native plants found in the garden include coneflower, aster, goldenrod, bee balm, Joe Pye weed, blazing star, rattle snake master, hyssop, and prairie onion.
The Prospect
This garden is a gateway to connect nature to park visitors of all ages and sizes, while also showcasing the simple impact a small garden can make to our pollinator friends. Each path provides a different experience of smells, textures and colors depending on the time of day and day of the month. No two days are ever the same at the Bellevue butterfly garden. Nets, observation containers and educational packets are available by the garden shed for hands-on learning experiences. Sway through the tall flowers to catch butterflies or scoop deep into the pond to expose macroinvertebrates such as dragonfly larvae or tadpoles. Our goal is for you to enjoy your experience at the Bellevue butterfly garden and perhaps inspire you to grow a garden in your own backyard. Consider taking a Butterfly Wing photo to remember your visit and be sure to visit the Fairy and Gnome Village that adorns the trail.
No two years are alike at the Butterfly Garden. You can always anticipate new colors, new flowers, and even a rare butterfly or bird sighting during your visit. Photographers consider the Butterfly Garden a must-see destination, as it provides the perfect backdrop to weddings, graduations, and family photos. Come and make your own special memory in the garden.