Butterflies are some of the most beautiful insects on earth. Did you know that scientists believe there are between 15,000 and 20,000 different species of these colorful living rainbows? With so many different types, it’s not likely for us to be able to see each and every one. But, there IS a beautiful garden right here in Maine that allows visitors to see a wide variety of the ones that come flocking.
The Charlotte Rhoades Park is a coastal butterfly habitat located in Downeast Maine.
Rhoades Butterfly Garden / Facebook The park’s namesake, Charlotte Rhoades, was a Southwest Harbor resident who owned the property in the 1950s. In 1978 it was gifted to the town in her memory to be used as a peaceful place for children and parents.
While on the outside it seems to be a beautiful garden, a closer look reveals so much more!
Rhoades Butterfly Garden / Facebook
The park has become a butterfly habitat, attracting many species to the carefully planted flowers and plants.
Rhoades Butterfly Garden / Facebook Officially created in 1998, the Butterfly Garden works to promote conservation education and provides gardening instruction to visitors.
It is overseen and kept by volunteers who work throughout the season to teach young students and adults about butterfly habitats and how to carefully and mindfully observe them.
Rhoades Butterfly Garden / Facebook
The garden beds are meant to look like butterfly wings and they feature butterfly host plants, including perennials, annuals, and shrubs.
Alison S / TripAdvisor
Visitors are invited to stroll through the gardens, taking in all the species that are attracted by the carefully chosen plants.
Rhoades Butterfly Garden / Facebook
In addition to reasonably priced gardening classes, the garden will soon be hosting the annual butterfly release, a magical event taking place on July 27th, 2017!
Rhoades Butterfly Garden / Facebook
A $30 ticket will allow visitors to release one Painted Lady butterfly at 4:15pm.
Alison S / TripAdvisor
The proceeds of the event will go to help the park with the purchase of plants as well as education and maintenance.
BeachGal88 / TripAdvisor This fun event is great for kids and adults and will take place rain or shine.
The Charlotte Rhoades Park and Butterfly Garden is located at 191 Main Street in Southwest Harbor, Mount Desert Island. You can call them on 207-244-9264.
Rhoades Butterfly Garden / Facebook
The park’s namesake, Charlotte Rhoades, was a Southwest Harbor resident who owned the property in the 1950s. In 1978 it was gifted to the town in her memory to be used as a peaceful place for children and parents.
Officially created in 1998, the Butterfly Garden works to promote conservation education and provides gardening instruction to visitors.
Alison S / TripAdvisor
BeachGal88 / TripAdvisor
This fun event is great for kids and adults and will take place rain or shine.
Or, you can visit their website for more information including how to get your ticket to the this year’s butterfly release.
For more summer fun, have you seen our favorite secret beach located in Wells? If not, click here!
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