The orange and black wings of monarchs amid the purple and pink bee balm draw the visitor from the shade of the Hosta garden into the vibrant colors of the Butterfly garden. Visitors walk approximately fifty feet in a northerly direction from the Hosta garden and approach a grouping of three trees (one Zelkova, one weeping Katsura, one very old apple tree) create a feeling of defined space and structure with an informal, relaxed manner. A granite watering trough inscribed with date, 1878, sits adjacent to a meandering path which fronts the predominately perennial border of the Butterfly Garden.

This popular garden was designed by Belle Choate with assistance from Tom Tidman and was installed in the spring of 1992. It was expanded the following year. The garden is a mixed perennial border, with annuals added, as food and shelter for the butterflies. It attracted 16-18 different species of butterflies the first year. Many curves in the Butterfly garden allow the eye to move easily from one element in the garden to another. A large butterfly box is situated in the west side of the long narrow bed which is backed by a wooden post and rail fence. Without this fence, the garden would be swallowed up by the meadow beyond. Both Ruby-throated hummingbirds and the slightly smaller hummingbird moth are often seen feeding on the many nectar sources in the garden.

A wooden garden bench near the old nursery entrance and two picnic benches under the canopy of the Zelkovas provide resting spots for visitors to enjoy the great-spangled fritillaries as they fly among the yellow alyssum and white spirea.