Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a world class park with world

class attractions in Grand Rapids, Michigan.   This is more than a garden, it is

 a community and area treasure with many aspects of the fine arts on

permanent and traveling displays. Listed below are the major attractions:

• The Sculpture Park
• Gallery Collection
• Garden Trails & Conservatory Collection
• Sculpture Exhibitions
• Children's Garden
• Outdoor Concert Stage

Because there are so many aspects to the gardens, I will only discuss

The Conservatory Gardens in this article.  Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory

is more than 5 stories tall and features tropical plants from 5 continents as

well as waterfalls and misty streambeds. Palms reaching over 30 feet amidst

banana and coconut trees, bromeliads, and a changing display of over 3500 

types of orchid plants in their collection.

They have an annual Butterfly Exhibit in the conservatory every spring

starting in late March and running through  the middle of April. Hundreds of

butterfly cocoons are brought in and they hatch at different times so there

are always tropical butterflies to see.  They have special feeding stations set

 up through out the conservatory for them. There is also a special entry

constructed to go and out of so the butterflies do not escape the conservatory

 environment where they would perish because of the lower temperature

outside. 

 The conservatory is always kept about 80 degrees for the tropical plants.

Stepping into this in the middle of winter is a real treat. There is a waterfall

 you can walk under, plus a bridge and a winding circular pathway through the

 conservatory gardens where the permanent orchid exhibit can be seen. 

 There is always something blooming in conservatory.  Why don't you treat

yourself and your family soon?  If you haven't been to the Frederick Meijer 

Gardens & Sculpture Park, you should plan a trip to Grand Rapids soon.

Frederick Meijer Childrens Garden

Frederick Meijer Outdoor Sculpture Park

The Butterfly Exhibit at Meijer Gardens

Major Renovation Planned for Meijer Gardens

 Westbrook Realty ~ Grand Rapids Michigan Real Estate

 Copyright 2008 All rights reserved

  photo of the conservatory & butterfly from meijer garden by Bonnie Westbrook