We are closed for the season and will re-open in May. 

The butterflies have headed to Mexico. Our tagging event on Sept 17th was a bit cooler than usual but the Monarchs were tagged and released to join the migration.There are still Spicebush pupae and lots of Giant Swallowtail pupae which we will "babysit" until next spring when we open. If your school or organization would like a program on butterflies please email ellen at beagleridge@gmail.com. The butterflies will see you this coming May as we open Flying Flowers.

Be sure to check out the photos and come join us at an event.

                                    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, which was one of my mothers favorite flowers. Flying Flowers is a tribute to my mother who loved lilies and the butterflies which visited them.

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.  Flying Flowers  houses native butterflies which include the specific plants they will need to spend their life cycle with us. Join us for a program and walk amongst the butterflies and even enjoy a Butterfly Tea. The structure was erected in Oct. 2009 and we opened to the public with a release into the house on May 15, 2010. Click on the Flying Flowers 2010 link above to see how we have grown over the years.

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.

 

We are located 10 miles south of Wytheville, VA. in the beautiful Blue Ridge Highlands at approx 2,600' elevation.  Our host site at 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.

This was how things looked in Oct 2009. Boy have things changed. We now are full of color with 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 in May 2011 and come see for yourself.

Build it and they will come, and they are here.

This little guy was enamored with the Monarchs.  He was so good,never crying even though he wanted to touch it.

Friendly hitch hikers at our release. In spite of the periodic rain we had a great day.  

With these shades she was ready for her adventure at Flying Flowers . This Monarch obviously thought she the "real " thing.

We released some Monarchs into the gardens and they enjoyed visiting the guests, we let the rest loose into the structure.

Guests were treated to a wonderful cake which Barbara made for the occasion. Everyone raved about it, pretty and delicious too.

Alleghany Master Gardeners had a light lunch provided by 4 Seasons Bakery in Rural Retreat .

Within hours of the release Monarchs may begin to mate, next step laying eggs on the milkweed. Click on the lifecycle link to see her laying eggs, as well as other inhabitants.

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.