Thanks to Ellen Jessee for this report on installing a Native Plant Garden at Spencer Penn.
After completing most of the projects outlined in the 2008
Martinsville/Henry County Recreational Use Master Plan, the Dan River Basin
Association (DRBA) developed a 2019 Recreational Use Master Plan for
Martinsville/Henry County As part of a Harvest Grant to DRBA to
implement the 2019 Recreational Use Plan, DRBA
created a Woodland Trail with the hope of attracting butterflies as well
as provide the public with a peaceful
outdoor stroll through the woods at the
Spencer Penn Center.
On Thursday, April 13th, DRBA staff along with volunteers, planted native plants for pollinators, installed a butterfly bench, and created a meditation circle. At first we had planned to put native plants to attract butterflies, particularly Monarch Butterflies, in two raised flower beds at the entrance to the trail, but then discovered after the trees leafed out that both beds are in the shade. So we reverted to Plan B, and built a bed around the trail kiosk that would be in the sun, then planted shade plants in the two shaded beds. There is also a boardwalk in the middle of the trail that leads out to an observation deck overlooking a valley under the power line that should have many naturally growing plants to attract butterflies. We also planted some purchased native plants there, too.
Photo by Brian Williams: Meditation Circle
At the kiosk are Butterfly Weed, Milkweed, Bee-Balm, Moss
Phlox, and a few non-native plants to provide continuous bloom through the
summer. In the shade beds are Joe-Pye
Weed, Solomon’s Seal, Goatsbeard, Black Cohosh, Bee-Balm, Columbine, Dwarf
Iris, and Alleghany Spurge. We plan to
add some Green and Gold when we can get some.
At the end of the observation deck we put Butterfly Weed and Joe-Pye
Weed and we will be adding some Golden Rod soon.
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