This past Saturday our Piedmont Chapter members had the opportunity to tour Beech Hollow Wildflower Farm in Lexington, GA. Our very own Member Chair, Tanner Biggers, happens to be the Farm Manager at Beech Hollow, which is a business member of our chapter. Mild temperatures set the stage for what turned out to be a delightful day of educational strolls through the farm, members mingling, and a behind the scenes look at a prolific native plant farm.
After an introduction to Beech Hollow Wildflower farm from owner Pandra Williams, Tanner led attendees through the “Sun Beds”, a demonstration garden of sun-loving native plants that occur in meadows, slopes, and boggy areas of the Piedmont. With his extensive knowledge of native plants and their growth habit, Tanner drew everyone’s attention to the various plants throughout the lush Sun Beds while discussing the importance of each species within a greater ecological and cultural context.
He discussed the method of layering plantings to create habitat for a variety of pollinators and small ground critters, while also creating a visually pleasing aesthetic. We learned about pollinator plants and host plants, and Tanner pointed out important host plants such as Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum) that were covered in the caterpillars of the Black Swallowtail Butterfly.
Next, members made their way through the “Shade Beds,” where Tanner continued to educate attendees on plants found throughout the forests of the Piedmont and along woodland edges. A nice mix of ground covers, herbaceous perennials, and woody shrubs were on display. Tanner talked about the seasonal variation of plants in these shadier areas, mentioning “spring ephemerals” as plants that have an early Spring showing but disappear completely from sight, with just underground structures surviving the warmer temperatures.
Another highlight of the Shade Beds were the fruits on the Passion Vine (Passiflora incarnata), a beautiful flowering evergreen vine that is a host plant for the brightly colored Gulf Fritillary Butterfly. These fruits turn an attractive yellow as they ripen and are both delectably fragrant and edible.
The enthusiastic group of members were next led through the working areas of Beech Hollow Wildflower Farm. Members were able to see where Tanner and his crew grow several hundred species of native plants from seeds and cuttings, which later become well established plants that make their way to the retail spaces at the farm and retail location in Scottdale, GA.
After a stroll through the main farm spaces, attendees were invited to join in a hike through the back acreage of the property to the Beech grove from which Beech Hollow’s name is derived. Multiple adventurous folk trekked up and down steep slopes and crossed streams while experiencing the peacefulness and beauty of the forest. The day concluded with members networking and making plans for future collaborative meet ups and many folks purchasing plants to take home and add to their own native landscapes.
Saturday was an educational day filled with enthusiasm for native plantings and the Wild Ones Piedmont Chapter is so thankful to Tanner, Pandra, and Beech Hollow Wildflower Farm for this wonderful event. We were so pleased to meet so many members and future members, and look forward to future events with our friends at Beech Hollow. Thanks to everyone who made it out, and be on the lookout for more fun events like this one!