Places: The Butterfly Garden at Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida

We have had beautiful weather here in Central Florida so I took my children on a picnic at Leu Gardens. I'm so glad we did - the butterfly garden was brimming with activity. So many butterflies, caterpillars, and flowers! My daughter brought her journal to document her observations "like a real scientist."

Entrance to the Butterfly Garden

Gulf Fritillary caterpillar on its host plant, the Passtionflower

Gulf Fritillary caterpillar - love those spikes!

Gulf Fritillary chrysalis

Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

Chrysalis Box - Butterflies are released from here several times a day after they hatch and their wings dry.

A puddle is a nice element for the butterfly garden. Butterflies will sip water and obtain 
other essential nutrients from it.

Monarch caterpillar on Milkweed

Monarch butterfly

Fall Senna is in full bloom everywhere. It is the host plant for the Cloudless Sulphur and Orange-barred Sulphur.

Mexican Sunflower, a great nectar plant

The exotic looking Calico Flower, host plant of the Polydamus Swallowtail caterpillar

If you are looking to start your own butterfly garden, the butterfly garden at Leu Gardens is a wonderful place to obtain ideas for design and plant materials. And if you have little ones, they will enjoy hunting for caterpillars and watching the butterflies fly about.