posted March 25, 2005
Reflection Riding’s Spring Wildflower Festival & Native Plant sale will be April 8-10. There will be hundreds of native trees, shrubs and wildflowers, all for sale. Visitors can explore the over 300 acres of woodland gardens and over twelve miles of hiking trails and paths.
The Spring Native Plant Sale features hearty native plants for sale as well as a number of events including guided wildflower walks, a variety of talks on native plants and a few longer hikes exploring Reflection Riding’s upper trails.
On Saturday, exhibitors will also be on hand from other non-profits displaying information about their organizations.
Hours will be Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Admission is free.
Reflection Riding is located at the end of Garden Road off of Cummings Highway. From I-24, take the Browns Ferry Road Exit and turn left, proceed until you come to Cummings Highway and make another left. Go a little less than a mile and make your first right turn at the signs for Reflection Riding and the Chattanooga Nature Center.
Schedule of Events
Friday, April 8
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Native Plant Sale – The Plant Sale features durable native plants that are adapted to the growing conditions of the southeastern United States. Come and choose from hundreds of trees, shrubs and wildflowers all propagated at Reflection Riding. Experts will be on hand for consultation and questions.
11:30 a.m. – Guided Spring Wildflower Walk – Leader TBA. Meet at the barn entrance.
1:30 p.m. – Guided Spring Wildflower Walk – Led by Michael Green. Meet at the barn entrance.
2:30 p.m. – Guided Spring Wildflower Walk – Led by Chris Mahoney of Wildlife Habitat Yard Services. Meet at the barn entrance.
Saturday, April 9
8 a.m. – Early Morning Bird Walk – Join Kyle Waggener of the Chattanooga Nature Center for an early morning, spring bird walk through Reflection Riding and along the CNC’s newly renovated boardwalk to listen and look for spring migrants such as the Prothonotary Warbler, Black-Throated Green Warbler, Common Yellow-Throat Warbler, and other birds found along the creek such as Kingfisher, Wood Duck, and Blue Heron. The walk will last about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Meet in Chattanooga Nature Center’s parking lot and wear comfortable shoes. Bring along binoculars and field guides if desired. This event is free to the public.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Native Plant Sale – The Plant Sale features durable native plants that are adapted to the growing conditions of the southeastern United States. Come and choose from hundreds of trees, shrubs and wildflowers all propagated at Reflection Riding. Experts will be on hand for consultation and questions.
9 a.m. – Nature Photography – Paul Grant (Reflection Riding Board Member) will lead this “mini” (i.e. 2 hour) workshop on the art of capturing nature on film. Bring your camera and be prepared to walk through the Riding and see it through a whole new “lens.” Workshop will meet at the barn entrance and is free to the public.
10 a.m. – BlueCross BlueShield “Walk in the Woods” Fun Walk Through the Riding – Bring the whole family and walk in support of BCBST’s new Blue Program entitled WalkingWorks. Enjoy a morning, walking through the beautiful spring flowers and gaining the healthy benefits of this activity. This two-mile fun walk will traverse the trails of the Riding. Participants who register will receive a goody bag that includes a BCBST pedometer and information on the WalkingWorks Program, a bottle of water as well as a complimentary pass to return to Reflection Riding to walk another day. Although the walk is free to all participants, please call the office to register. For more information and to register, call (423) 821-9582 x200.
10 a.m. – Sustainable Landscaping – Join Landscape Author Richard Dubé and Naturalist Eric Garner (both of the Chattanooga Audubon Society) as they give their presentation on the pros and cons for building and designing a sustainable landscape. Learn how this approach to landscaping will reduce maintenance, increase your property value, and create both a therapeutic and healthy environment while keeping money in your pocket.
11 a.m. – Cumulative Effects of Non-Native Plant Species – Join Donna Hertlein of the Lookout Mountain Land Trust for this informative talk on invasive, non-native, pest plants in the region. Participants will learn how these alien species threaten our native ecosystem, and ways to eradicate invasive plants from their property.
11:30 a.m. – Guided Wildflower Walk – Led by Jim Brown of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. Meet at the barn entrance.
Noon – Butterflies, Bees and Flies, Oh, My! (Plant Pollinators / Garden Helpers) – Why do plants have flowers? To attract insect pollinators! Are you aware that at any time you probably have hundreds of helpers visiting the flowers in your garden? Don't wage war on your insects, or you may end up with a garden full of frustrated flowers. Learn about some of the insect helpers in your garden with a brief slide show and then we will take a walk in the Riding to look for pollinators in action. You may discover an exciting new hobby, backyard bug watching! Join Bill Haley of the Tennessee Aquarium for this slideshow and walk on butterflies and other pollinators. Meet at the back of the barn.
1 p.m. – Shakespeare’s Flowers – You may not have thought about it, but Shakespeare was a country boy. Gardening was an important part of his life. Join Michael Green for this fun program on the numerous flowers mentioned in the plays, sonnets and poems of the Bard and see if you can find some of them here.
1:30 p.m. – Guided Wildflower Walk (A continuation of the talk on Shakespeare’s Flowers – Led by Michael Green. Meet at the barn entrance.
1:30 p.m. – Upper Trail Exploration – Ralph Brown, Reflection Riding Board member and hiking enthusiast, will lead this 1 ½ to 2 hour hike through the “undiscovered country” territory of Reflection Riding’s upper trails. Along the hike, Ralph will point out unusual species of trees and wildlife. This hike is moderately strenuous with a mild uphill climb at the beginning.
2 p.m. – Guided Tree Walk – Join Ron Lance, visiting naturalist from western North Carolina for a short walking tour of some of the native and cultivated trees and shrubs of Reflection Riding. This group will inspect bark, leaves, flowers, and other anatomical features of the forest, so participants may come away knowing intimate things about the trees. Bring a magnifying lens if you have one, but at least bring your interest and questions about trees and their natural history. If the weather is foul, the group will gaze at a slide presentation of common native Tennessee trees and hear the most curious facts the speaker can render, for each one. For example, what tree provided good mattress-stuffing foliage in earlier days, or which tree has wood that can cause sparks from a chain saw, or where often can you find a "smiling face" on a walnut?
2:30 p.m. – Guided Wildflower Walk – Led by Lynn Woodworth of the Reflection Riding Board of Directors. Meet at the barn entrance.
3:30 p.m. – Guided Wildflower Walk – Led by Chris Mahoney of Wildlife Habitat Yard Services. Meet at the barn entrance.
Sunday, April 10
1-5 p.m. – Native Plant Sale – The Plant Sale features durable native plants that are adapted to the growing conditions of the southeastern United States. Come and choose from hundreds of trees, shrubs and wildflowers all propagated at Reflection Riding. Experts will be on hand for consultation and questions.
1:30 p.m. – Build a Bluebird House Together! – Families can come and build a bluebird house out of kits created by the talented Reflection Riding staff, who will guide you through the process. This new family-oriented project is available by registration only and costs $3 (limit one per family). To register, please call the Reflection Riding Business office at (423) 821-9582 x200. Registration is limited to ten.
2 p.m. – Guided FAMILY Wildflower Scavenger Hunt – Led by Michael Green. This stroller-friendly guided wildflower walk and scavenger hunt is geared especially for families and will take place around the upper pond. Each participant is invited to play “wildflower bingo,” finding plants of different shapes, colors and sizes all in the nearby area. Meet at the barn entrance.
2:30 p.m. – Guided Wildflower Walk – Led by Lynn Woodworth of the Reflection Riding Board of Directors. Meet at the barn entrance.
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