In the spring of 2017, my friend Allie and I were enjoying some samples of hard cider in Corvallis, and were discussing how there were so many more butterflies when were growing up in the 80’s and 90’s. We wished our children could experience them as we did. That is when the ideas started flowing. What if I started a garden nursery that focused on host and nectar plants for butterflies? What if eventually you could come to the nursery and sit with the butterflies in the greenhouse and enjoy a cup of coffee? A butterfly greenhouse is also known as a vivarium. That is my final goal in building this business, a vivarium filled with lovely plants for sale and a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea.
Then I can sell host plants with eggs or larvae already living on the plant, allowing the butterflies to be distributed around this area. I contacted another vivarium in California, the locals within ten miles of the vivarium had noticed a huge population increase in butterflies, enough to come and thank the owner. So imagine if at least one person in each block or even just every square mile was to plant a butterfly garden. A garden space free of pesticides and herbicides and full of host plants and nectar plants, a beautiful garden of any size. So many more butterflies. So I have taken it upon myself to grow these plants for our community, starting small. We purchased our home and small property in the summer of 2018.
The climate is new to me, the growing season is also new to me. It will take me a few seasons to find what will grow here, the right varieties, and the best planting times. I am purchasing seed from local, sustainable, heirloom and open pollinated nurseries in the Pacific Northwest. And am hoping to harvest my own seed and become more sustainable over time. I will use any and all recycled black plastic containers I can get my hands on for plants, and am hoping I will get customers to return their pots after planting so I can cut down on the plastic consumption.
I purchased a second greenhouse this summer and hope to have it up and running for the 2020 season. For my first season I will be selling plants at the Toledo Waterfront Farmers Market, from 10am to 3pm on Thursdays, June through August 2019. I currently have a variety of flowers, perennials and annuals, herbs, medicinal plants, three varieties of milkweed, and tomatoes. Next year I hope to have all the plants needed to make several types of tea, and sell dried herbs for teas along with all the flowers.