Valley of Virginia
Wild Flower Meadows & Nature Trails

Wildflower Season extends from late May thru Early Oct; peaks June and July

We (Susan and Jim McDowell) moved to the Valley in the fall of 1996, after Jim retired from the military.  We were fortunate to have the freedom to do what we enjoyed doing most.  This included restoring Spring Valley Manor, a 1788 Manor House, and its outbuildings which include a Smoke House, Spring House & Summer Kitchen and a Granary (small barn).  We now live in the restored house, but dedicated the Ell (1870's addition) to the old house and its outbuildings to our Country Antiques business.  To see buildings, please click on OUR CAMPUS.

In addition to American 'Country' Antiques, we both enjoy gardening.  So, as we started restoring Spring Valley Manor, we also started work on wildflower meadows.  We removed old fences, a few trees, established better drainage, prepared meadow seedbeds and seeded them with native wildflowers, mostly perennials.  We did this a little at a time, but we now have six acres of established meadows and have evolved to the maintenance phase.

Wildflowers can be enjoyed best in their natural environment compared to a garden setting; this has been our guiding principle.  Butterflies and wild birds are much attracted to and nourished by the wildflowers.  We located a small pond for water lilies (a wildflower) and have stocked it with colorful Koi and goldfish.  Our gorgeous mountain view provides a splendid backdrop for wildflowers.  We supplemented the edges of our meadows with pine seedlings, dogwoods, redbud and rhododendron flowering shrubs, which all make spring quite spectacular.  Most wildflowers bloom from May through October, although a few start as early as April.  Annual weather conditions affect actual blooming times.

To make our wildflowers meadows more accessible and enjoyable, we established nature trails and placed a few benches and picnic tables at strategic viewing locations.  

We have opened our wildflower meadows and nature trails to the public, there is no charge.
We hope our wildflower visitors will also enjoy visiting our well stocked 'country' antiques shops.

Wildflower  Photo Sampling 
(Be sure to bring your camera!)

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