The Butterflies and Blossoms Garden is located in the courtyard outside the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office (the former hospital building), at 400 Central Ave. NW in Orange City. The garden will be hosting an open house on Aug. 2, from 5-7 p.m.
Wildflower gardens take time to mature, and the Butterflies and Blossoms Garden is well on its way in its third summer. Each summer new plants have been added and existing plants have become larger.
Besides attracting pollinators and showcasing native plants, the garden is focused on featuring Sioux County native plants. Over 60 percent of the species in the garden are native specifically to Sioux County.
This demonstration garden is a project of Master Gardeners of Sioux County, a group dedicated to using their knowledge to inform others of good garden and plant practices.
The garden is open through the growing season for educational adventures, but the Aug. 2 event will include guides who can answer your questions about the garden and/or about the Master Gardener Training starting this fall.
The event will also be a fun farewell for Dustin Kohn, ISU Extension and Outreach horticulture intern, who is finishing his summer term. Refreshments will be served, and following the garden visit, people are invited to Windmill Park for an Orange City Arts Council Onstage performance by the Kley De Jong Band, featuring a talented electric guitarist.
