Welcome to Flying Flowers - come in and enjoy the trip.
This photo is what I think of when I think of butterflies.This beauty is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail enjoying a Stargazer Lily.
Butterflies have been called by many names over the years and as they flit through the blooms in the gardens they have always reminded me of 'flowers on the wing'
As such we have decided to call our new venture Flying Flowers. We have erected a walk through butterfly house ( if you scroll down you will see what we started last fall before this never ending snow arrived) and you will be able to stroll amongst the butterflies and even enjoy a Butterfly Tea.
For those of you who have visited Beagle Ridge Herb Farm before you know how many butterflies we have living here with us. We have specialized in butterfly plantings using both native and non native plants and have identified 32 different butterflies. We garden naturally with no pesticides or chemical fertilizers and grow a wide variety of native and non natives. The large diversity of both host and nectar plantings attract butterflies in their adult stage which then lay their eggs in the garden and the cycle begins again.
Flying Flowers houses native butterflies which include the specfic plants they will need to spend their life cycle with us. The structure was erected in Oct. and it has now been completed with paths, seating areas and even some plantings. We opened to the public on May 15,2010.
We are located 10 miles south of Wytheville, VA. in the beautiful Blue Ridge Highlands at approx 2,600' elevation. Our host site is Beagle Ridge Herb Farm and Environmental Education Center a 160 acre oasis nestled in a valley between forested hills. This location provides privacy and serenity for both us and the butterflies. Hiking trails traverse a wide variety of ecosystems on the property and there is a huge native population of butterflies which inhabit the surrounding gardens. Click here http://www.beagleridgeherbfarm.com to see more about the outdoor gardens.
Contact us at beagleridge@gmail.com or 276-621-4511 for additional information.
 | We started planting in the fall of 2009 and opened to the public with a butterfly release- into the enclosure- on May 15th..We now have plenty of nectar plants and of course lots of host plants for the egg laying requirements of our butterflies. Scroll down to see some shots of the release. Build it and they will come, and they are here. |
Trying to have a Monarch perch on her finger one of our participants patiently waits with some nectar( Gatorade) on her finger. She was able to cajole the Painted Ladies but not the Monarch. |  |
Within hours of the release they began to mate, next step laying eggs on the milkweed.
One corner contains some wetland plantings Spice Bush,a Yellow Twig Dogwood and a couple of wetland shrubs. In addition we have added some wonderful native flame azaleas and the butterflies obviously are enjoying them. The azaleas were provided by William Roberts, an amazing horticulturist who actually grew them from seed, yes he even collected the seed.
Here are two of our participants with Painted Ladies, they are friendlier than Monarchs.
Dressed for the occasion above and looking at a Monarch below.
A hitchhiker below, Monarchs are a friendly bunch.
Although we are closed during the month of August, except by appointment, we will reopen Labor Day weekend and will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10-5.
