The Gardens Experience
Lena Meijer Conservatory
The Tropical Conservatory is more than five stories high and is the largest tropical conservatory in Michigan. Featuring tropical plants from five continents of the world as well as waterfalls and misty streambeds, one feels upon walking in, that you have truly entered a tropical world. Immerse yourself during any season in the lush sights, smells and sounds of a far away land. See flowering plumbago, clerodendron and jasmine, as well as a massive Green Island fig tree (Ficus macrophylla) and a changing display from the Gardens over 3500-plant orchid collection. Palms reach over 30 feet amidst banana and coconut trees, bromeliads, Egyptian papyrus, allspice, and a giant golden alocasia.
In March and April the tropical conservatory is home to the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibit in the nation. Thousands of butterflies, imported as chrysalids from Malaysia and Central America, fly free in the conservatory.
Audio Tour
New! Audio tour available for download from our podcast page.