Brookside Gardens in Montgomery County offers visitors a breathtaking escape into nature. Returning this year is the highly anticipated butterfly experience, providing a unique opportunity to admire these colorful creatures up close.

Brookside Gardens, located within Wheaton Regional Park, is Montgomery County’s premier 50-acre award-winning public display garden. This stunning garden features a variety of distinct areas, including the Aquatic Garden, Azalea Garden, Butterfly Garden, Children’s Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese-Style Garden, Trial Garden, Rain Garden, and Woodland Walk. The Formal Gardens showcase beautifully designed spaces such as the Perennial Garden, Yew Garden, Maple Terrace, and Fragrance Garden. Visitors can also enjoy year-round beauty in the two conservatories.

Starting April 10, 2025, the beloved butterfly experience returns to Brookside Gardens. The seasonal exhibit offers an up-close encounter with hundreds of vibrant butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa, and Asia, fluttering among colorful blooms in the South Conservatory. The trained staff and volunteers provide insights into the fascinating world of butterflies, their metamorphosis, and their essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, along with tips on how to support these pollinators in home gardens.

Today, Brookside Gardens spans 54 acres, including 32 acres of beautifully cultivated gardens. The gardens are maintained by a dedicated team of staff, and over 1,000 volunteers. For more details on the butterfly experience and other garden attractions, visit Brookside Gardens.

If you would like your county featured in the Fun Fact blog, please get in touch with Amanda Grosskrueger at agrosskrueger@mdcounties.org.