Spring Native Plant Tour
Date/Time
Sunday, April 28, 2024
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Categories
Please join us on April 28th to tour two beautiful properties:
10am – 1pm at Carol and George Taylors’:
The Taylors’ 31 acres is a Habitat Restoration for wildlife, with a grand view of Elliot Knob and the Alleghenies. It is a Work in Progress which was started in 2000. When we bought the property in 1992 it was some 90% fescue pasture, happily with an old oak grove and a farm pond. There were 5 species of trees, one of which was Ailanthus! Today we have a large number of native trees and plants. Our land is under a Conservation Easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
We will tour several ecoregions, including a woodland, savanna, wildlife corridors, and meadows, one of which was planted over a geothermal installation. There are two projects involving American Chestnuts, of which we have eleven ACF backcrosses and four from pure American chestnuts. There will be discussion and examples of various experiments such as killing Autumn Olive without poisons, the use of plants as “nannies” for protection from deer, the use of prescribed fire and the creation of planting areas without spraying herbicides.
The tours will start every half hour from 10:00 am to noon and last about an hour. Guests are invited to linger and explore the property on their own if they wish. Upon arrival, please stop at the bottom of the driveway and call George at (540) four 1 four -4 eight 2 one to check if it’s ok for you to drive up the hill (there is no passing room). 3941 Morris Mill Rd, Swoope, VA 24479
11am – 2pm at Barbara Brothers’:
Barbara stewards 20 Augusta County acres of dry, upland forest, consisting primarily of Oaks (White, Chestnut, Black), Mockernut Hickory, White Pine, Mountain Laurel, and various understory trees and shrubs. Over her 25 years on this property, she has added more native understory plantings, including both sun and shade loving native and non-native perennials.
The woodland gardens near the house consist primarily of native ephemerals, such as various Trilliums, Bloodroot, Virginia Bluebells, Rue Anemone, Twinleaf, Black Cohosh, Pinkster Azalea, and more. Lawn areas continue to be transformed into pollinator gardens. Parking will be available directly across the driveway entrance, in the meadow. 206 Crossing Ln, Staunton, VA 24401
These locations are approximately 15 minutes apart from each other making it easy for everyone to see both! Please contact Katy at katymeltonsimpson (at) gmail.com with any questions.
