Blooms and Butterflies in the Learning Gardens

Originally published June 17, 2014

Easter Tiger Swallowtail on a swamp milkweed.

The pollinator garden is blooming, and the bees and butterflies have taken notice. If you have a chance to peek in the Learning Gardens in the next few weeks, you may see a visitor like this gorgeous Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.  This one is enjoying the nectar from a variety of milkweed plant. The butterfly weed is also showing off bright yellow flowers, and the common milkweed should follow soon with big round clusters of purple-ish flowers.  Did you know milkweed is the only host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars? We plan to plant more milkweed and other nectar plants to become a certified Monarch way station. To read more about Monarchs, their incredible migrations, and why they are declining, click here. 

Common milkweed.

Butterfly weed.

Winter Bird Garden Underway

Originally posted June3, 2014

Fairview received a Schoolyard Stewardship Mini-Grant from FCPS to turn the courtyard between the library and the reading center into a ‘Winter Bird Garden’.  There was already a flowering dogwood in the courtyard, which has been known to be visited on more than one occasion by bluebirds. Students planted bushes native to Northern Virginia including Winterberry Holly and Red and Black Chokeberry. These bushes have berries that persist into winter and provide an important food source for local birds. We still have to plant Little Bluestem and Broomsedge, tall native grasses that will provide seeds and cover, plus a couple native honeysuckle vines that might attract a few pollinators. The kids were asking great questions about why we were planting what we were planting, and I heard more than one “gardening is fun!”.  

Thank you to FCPS for awarding Fairview this grant, and thank you to Lisa Bright at Earth Sangha native plant nursery for her advice on plant selection.

Welcome to Fairview Footprint

Originally published May 28, 2014

Fairview is going green! We are following the National Wildlife Federation Eco-Schools program, working to achieve our Bronze Award this year. We are focusing on two pathways, the Consumption and Waste Pathway, and the School Grounds Pathway. Check back often for pictures and updates on our progress.

http://www.nwf.org/Eco-Schools-USA.aspx