Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in a Minnesota wildflower reserve located in Theodore Wirth Regional Park in Golden Valley (on the west side of the Twin Cities metro). This urban oasis is an incredible treasure for both wildflower lovers and birders (it’s also a bird sanctuary). And every spring, the garden’s blossoming flowers and migrating birds put on a spectacular show for all to see.

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary is located within Theodore Wirth Regional Park.
yusaku godaikun/Google
Although it's technically located in Golden Valley, it is part of the city of Minneapolis' acclaimed park system.
The wildflower garden is open seasonally between April 15 and October 15.
BeZerk Aveli/Google
And when it is open, it's staffed by naturalists and volunteers who are happy to tell you what's blooming, where to find it, and to answer other questions you may have about wildflowers, birds, or phenology.
Skunk cabbage - named for the funky scent it emits to attract pollinators - is one of the first flowers to unfurl itself from the ground.
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden/Facebook
Because it's capable of producing its own heat, you may even see skunk cabbage poking up from beneath a layer of snow.
In April, white flowers, like bloodroot, begin to blossom and blanket the forest floor.
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden/Facebook
It takes less energy for plants to produce white flowers than pigmented flowers, which is why these plants are able to produce blossoms when the weather is still a little chilly.
Dutchman's breeches are another early spring flower to keep an eye out for.
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden/Facebook

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Even among other white flowers, it's hard to miss the big, three-petaled blossoms in a blanket of trilliums, which start to bloom in early May.
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden/Facebook
By then, the bluebells are also blooming, their blossoms lending bursts of color to the increasingly-green undercanopy.
Justin S/Google Reviews
Finally, the stars of the show - lady's slippers - start to unfurl their flowers. The yellow variety comes earliest.
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden/Facebook
The showy lady's slipper is a diva flower that likes the stage to itself, so it usually waits until mid-June to bloom, after other varieties have stopped flowering.
Sally Phu/Google Reviews
It's the Minnesota state flower, as well, so it's appearance is often awaited and always a popular time of year at the sanctuary.
In May, keep your eyes out for colorful warblers as they migrate through the sanctuary.
Trent Jonas/OnlyInYourState
Many species of these beautiful birds bring their bright plumage and musical songs to the garden every spring.

Take your time at Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary to enjoy what’s in bloom any time you visit. It won’t take you long to see why it’s one of our favorite gardens in Minnesota! The best way to take in all the park has to offer is a stroll along its easy, three-quarter-mile nature trail. Visit the park’s website for hours and more information on events and activities. You may also want to bring a guide to wildflowers in Minnesota, as well as a good pair of binoculars to help you get a glimpse of the birds you encounter while you’re in the garden. If you find yourself with some extra time, head across the street to visit one of the only bog ecosystems in this part of the state – Quaking Bog is also located in Wirth Park.

Have you visited Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minnesota? What are some other Minnesota flower reserves we should know about?

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More to Explore

Botanical Gardens Near Me In Minnesota

Trent Jonas | April 18, 2024

What are some botanical gardens near me in Minnesota?
We are fortunate to have several excellent botanical gardens and arboretums located throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Some of our favorites include:

 

Where can I find spring wildflower blooms in Minnesota?
There are several Minnesota state parks and natural areas that see amazing wildflower blooms in the springtime. These include:

 

Is there a good way to see several blooms in one day?
One of our favorite ways to experience spring wildflower blooms in by spending a day or a weekend on a wildflower bloom road trip.

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Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, Theodore Wirth Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, USA