The Lewisburg House and Garden Club held their monthly meeting on July 23 at Appalachian Headwaters, Wood Thrush Park on Route 60 West. Their handout told members, “Headwaters Native Plants is a nursery program based out of Greenbrier County, WV, specializing in native plants. Our experienced growers are dedicated to providing a diverse inventory of wild and wonderful native plants.”
The meeting was held in their spacious pavilion adjacent to the greenhouse and the office/classroom building. Bella Walker is the Appalachian Headwaters Park’s Native Plant Program Manager. She addressed the group and led a tour of the gardens.
Her career as a Nursery Manager has been focused on growing native plants from local populations and getting them back out into the landscapes where they belong; everywhere from small urban gardens to large-scale mine restorations. With Appalachian Headwaters, Bella is focused on engaging the community in native gardens and landscapes; offering educational greenhouse and garden workshops, botanical tours, and of course locally collected seed-grown native plants.
President Marit Withrow called the meeting to order, and a brief meeting was held. Members in attendance were Shannon Beatty, Suzanne Cronquist, Peggy Brown, Polley Cunningham, Dee Dotson, Judy Deegans, Ghee Gossard, Martha Perilli, Barb Hiltner, Carol Olson, Sue McKinney, Susan Harkness, Mary Lindquist, and Sharon Holladay. Sue McKinney and Susan Harkness were the hostesses.
Following the business meeting, Walker spoke to the group about plants that were good for sun and those who are shade lovers. She also discussed the type of soil and moisture needed by the plants. As she spoke, a Monarch butterfly fluttered over the plants and two fawns ran through the lawn and into the woods. Walker then led the group on a tour of the gardens.
Visitations to Appalachian Headwaters are by appointment. The website is www.appheadwaters.org.
