Why not visit the Butterfly House this summer?

It is home to colourful tropical butterflies from the Philippines, Central America and tropical parts of Africa.

Each week 100 new pupae are placed in the emerging case- we attach them to bamboo canes with glue! Some of the pupae may hatch on the same day, whilst others take a week or so- if you are lucky you may see one hatch! On sunny days, the butterflies will fly around you and may even land on you to say hello. On cloudy days they prefer to rest in the foliage and are camouflaged as ‘dead leaves’.

How many will you spot today? Watch these butterflies drinking from exotic, scented, nectar rich plants such as Lantana, Bougainvillea and Heliotrope. See them feeding on sugar-water feeders and saucers of fermenting fruit such as banana, apple and oranges.

The Butterfly House is located at the far left corner of the gardens, just past the Grass Garden and is open every day from late May to early September.

From late September to early May, we change this glasshouse to an overwintering glasshouse. This is where, during the winter, we keep our cacti which are planted outside on the Terrace for the summer.