Humber Nurseries Butterfly Conservatory was the First prize winner of the 1998 Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence.

A 4,500 square foot mesh-enclosed house has been planted with all the essential food plants for butterfly larvae – Willow, Poplar and Cherry – for the Tiger Swallowtail, the Red-Spotted Purple, the White Admiral and the Viceroy. Dutchman’s Pipe for the Pipevine Swallowtail and Lindera for the Spicebush Swallowtail.

Stinging nettles have been tucked into a safe corner for Tortoise Shells and Mourning Cloaks. The Question Mark prefers Hop Vine and Elm. Turtleheads are the favourite plant of the Baltimore. All the needed food plants for 30 species of native butterflies and moths have been included in this garden; trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, grasses and perennials.

Adult butterflies emerging from the pupa stage will readily find these host plants on which to lay their eggs and all the flowering plants to provide the butterflies with nectar.

Throughout the summer floral baskets and potted annuals, perennials and herbs will be introduced to ensure a constant source of nourishment.

Some features to note are the two areas of moist sand where butterflies puddle seeking salts and minerals and which will also provide good areas for viewing these ‘flying jewels’.

The log pile at one end of the house is to provide a safe retreat for Mourning Cloaks that overwinter as adults and to hide in, even in summer.

The butterfly conservatory will eventually house 30 species of native butterflies plus the migrating Monarch. Display boards are in place featuring full colour photographs of each species and information on their food plants and habits. Their life cycle showing the many stages of their growth is fully illustrated.

Not only a most attractive exhibit but also an informative and educational one. Beautiful display gardens as well as free flying native butterflies.

In addition to the 30 or more native or migrating butterflies, the conservatory will also feature many more spectacular southern varieties. The conservatory is stocked with butterflies from May To September.

Some of our most recent additions to the conservatory include the magnificent green machine "the Malachite" butterfly. We have also included in our collection some real crowd pleasers. The 'Blue Morpho" and "Owl" butterflies. both these butterflies are quite large and fairly friendly. Be sure to look for them, a good place to look would be on our platters of fermenting fruit, a favourite dish of these two butterflies.

As well as the Monarch, we will now have the Queen and many new Swallowtails. The Longwing butterflies are particularly attractive. They are brightly coloured and fly strongly, delighting us with their acrobatics. Look for the Zebra, Julia and Tiger Longwings chasing each other and the black and red Postman.

These new additions will greatly add to the butterfly “show” and increase the pleasure of your visit.

A display board in the conservatory describes many of these southern butterflies and of course we are providing them with their favourite and necessary plants to ensure their well being.