Beagle Ridge Environmental Ed. Center
Your Outdoor Classroom in the Blue Ridge
Micro-climates
The slate wall which surrounds our formal herb gardens, is the focal point of our gardens and was an anniversary present from my husband. This created a microclimate around the herbs, protecting them from the biting winter winds. All our hardscape ( fences, walls, rock paths, etc.) helps absorb the heat of the sun and then release it at night and as such we are able to grow plants which normally could not survive in this zone.
The hardscape also lends a sculptural element to the gardens. When the plants are dormant,the bones of the garden are visible and that is a great time to do planning for the next year.
Theme gardens at Beagle Ridge
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The beauty of a garden is that every day there is something new to experience. Let us share our gardens with you the way it looks in summer
The gardens are surrounded by an electric fence to keep out the deer and include various themes.
This picture is our Thyme walk in bloom in June along the slate wall. The blue purple in the foreground is perennial Salvia in the Xeric garden. Our Thymes and everything in the Xeric garden is planted in a crushed limestone called "dirty rock". The Children's Garden shown below conatins a playhouse and last summer was planted with gourds and scarlet runner beans. Have your children come plant some seeds in their own garden.
A 4 quadrant Formal Garden surrounded by a slate covered wall. A Woodland Garden- full of spring blooming wild flowers A Xeriscape Garden- for drought tolerant plants A Japanese Meditation garden A Tea Garden- all plants can be used for making tea A Wildlife Habitat Garden- for birds and butterflies A Cottage Garden- full of color and scent A Water Garden- for water loving herbs A Garden for all Ages- a raised planter area for wheelchair gardening A lavender patio- to showcase varities of Lavender A pergola edged with Provence Lavender, which provides a shady nook for our medecinal herbs
Butterflies love lavender A Container Garden- for any one who may "need" to plant but doesn't have the availability of garden space- plant in pots instead.
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Seasonal pictures
Although we have had a relatively dry summer, these pictures show the one large snow we had in February. These pictures are down at Hemlock Cove, our property which is adjacent to Beagle Ridge. In the spring and fall we use the pond for school programs, specifically macro-invertebrate studies and watershed and water qaulity activities.
Here is a shot of the boathouse. These pictures illustrate why we are closed in the winter!
Come see what the gardens look like today.