The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing houses 800-1,000 live butterflies at any given time.
The gardens are designed to serve as an outdoor classroom for Iowa State University students and faculty.
The complex features a notable collection of larger-than-life insect sculptures crafted from various materials.
The site includes a 'Mahonia' garden specifically curated for plants that thrive in local shade.
The gardens function as an official All-America Selections display site to evaluate new plant varieties.
The conservatory wing is climate-controlled year-round to support tropical butterfly species.
Some landscape sections are specifically designed as 'Earth-Kind' gardens to demonstrate sustainable gardening practices with minimal chemical inputs.
Reiman Gardens is a 17-acre botanical complex located on the campus of Iowa State University. The site features the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, a glass-enclosed conservatory containing hundreds of live butterflies from around the world. The grounds comprise themed gardens, including a conservatory, a rose garden, and an herb garden. The outdoor areas are designed to showcase plants suitable for the climatic conditions of the Midwestern United States. The site includes a significant collection of outdoor sculptures and water features. Educational exhibits focus on plant biology and insect life cycles.
Inside the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing, specifically near the nectar feeding stations where butterflies congregate.
Check the butterfly wing humidity levels before entering, as it can be significantly warmer and more humid than the outdoor gardens.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the 17-acre layout involves extensive paths through varied terrain.
Bring a camera with a macro lens if you intend to photograph butterfly activity in the conservatory.
Do not visit the outdoor gardens during peak winter months if you want to see flowers, as many annuals and perennials will be dormant.
Open year-round, but specific outdoor features are highly seasonal; the butterfly wing remains accessible throughout the year.
Do not touch the butterflies in the conservatory; stay on marked paths to protect garden beds.
