Just inside the entrance to Pemaquid Beach Park, visitors are greeted by a flourishing array of blossoms in a garden designed to attract and nourish butterflies. Planted in 2009, the 175 sq. ft. Butterfly Garden is overseen by two Coastal Rivers members who are Master Gardeners, with garden-tending help from other volunteers and Park staff.

There are many types of plants in the garden, including moonbeam coreopsis, springtime blooming aster (Wartburg star), and bee balm in three different colors. Each year, Great Salt Bay School (GSBS) students grow flowers to add to the garden. Small, hand-made, oval wooden signs in the garden identify the various plantings. The Park provides picnic tables around the garden where visitors can sit and enjoy the garden and watch for the butterflies. As the plantings mature and butterfly migration peaks, visitors can expect to enjoy graceful swarms of monarchs, swallowtails, admirals, and more. We have developed a brochure about the butterfly garden for children.

If you are interested in volunteering to help tend the garden, contact Carolyn Shubert.

Note: visitors must pay the Town of Bristol’s park admission fee.