Birds and Wildlife in the Garden

Bees

Where:
Everywhere

Bees collect nectar from all over Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to make their honey. Look for them in late spring and early summer on the Vitex trees in the Flagler Perennial Garden and bee balm and other bee friendly plants throughout the Garden.

The Bob Stapleton & Keith Tignor Apiary, located in the Community Kitchen Garden, features an observation hive for viewing bees up close.

Butterflies

Where:
Everywhere

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is home to many butterflies. During the warm months, look for caterpillars munching on leaves and for monarch, swallowtail and cabbage butterflies in the air. The Garden creates a wonderful habitat for butterflies by planting good nectar flowers, such as zinnias or coneflowers, and host plants, such as milkweed and fennel, for hungry caterpillars.

Get up close and personal with hundreds of tropical butterflies during Butterflies LIVE!, a seasonal indoor exhibit in the Conservatory.

Geese

Where:
Sydnor Lake and along the bank in the Children’s Garden

Geese can frequently be seen on the banks of Sydnor Lake in the Children’s Garden or in Sydnor Lake. Look for them from the windows of the CWD Tree House!

Great Blue Heron

Where:
Sydnor Lake, West Island Garden and Asian Valley

Our blue heron doesn’t stay still for long. Look for him in the West Island Garden as you cross the lake and in the Asian Valley around the Robins Tea House.

Bluebirds

Where:
Throughout the Garden

The Lewis Ginter Bluebird Trail is made up of 14 bluebird boxes and stretches around the perimeter of the Garden. Look for bluebird boxes at the top of the Anderson Meadow, part of the Cherry Tree Walk, and in the Children’s Garden near Sand Play.

Other Birds

  • Canada Goose
  • Brown Thrasher
  • House Sparrow
  • American Goldfinch
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • Chipping Sparrow
  • Blue Jay
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Song Sparrow
  • American Robin
  • Carolina Wren
  • Northern Cardinal
  • House Finch

Find Your Way With Our Garden Map

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