Magna Silva Gardens

Magna Silva Gardens Gardening business that advocates for native plants & promotes biodiversity in the High Country of NC

At the end of July, we got to host a meadow tour of Dawn Anderson‘s landscape for the North Carolina Native Plant Societ...
08/10/2026

At the end of July, we got to host a meadow tour of Dawn Anderson‘s landscape for the North Carolina Native Plant Society - Blue Ridge Chapter.

Her landscape comprises 3 meadows, each implemented at different times and managed with different techniques over the years. We were THRILLED to see how many people showed up, even on a rainy day. And everyone was so enthusiastic and full of questions.

Thank you for the opportunity, Dawn! And thank you, North Carolina Native Plant Society members, for showing up and wanting to make a change to the lawn narrative 😉

Back in mid-June, we attended the Southeastern Native Plant Conference in Cullowhee, where John and I got to tour 4 mead...
08/10/2026

Back in mid-June, we attended the Southeastern Native Plant Conference in Cullowhee, where John and I got to tour 4 meadow installations. This tour was led by Emily Sampson of Patchwork Meadows and Nathan Buchanan of Wildbud Natives.

It’s always a learning experience to see how people approach these seeding and plug projects. If you’re in the greater Asheville area, these are two awesome companies to check out! 💛💛

Y’all!! It’s already been an insanely epic summer of planting and we’ve still got more to go 🦋🦋🦋And we’re wayyy behind o...
07/27/2026

Y’all!! It’s already been an insanely epic summer of planting and we’ve still got more to go 🦋🦋🦋

And we’re wayyy behind on posting. So here’s a snapshot of our native Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla) blooming in on May 18th.

This native vine was growing all up in a panicle hydrangea that the client liked, so we built her a tripod trellis out of Rhododendron maximum years ago. And now she’s got her own space!

Them butterflies might be getting some nectar from a hydrangea, but the pipevine swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor) can lay her eggs on this vine. And their larvae can eat it! And that means more butterflies! Which means MORE pollinators! Ya dig? 🐛🐛🐛

Year after year, this specimen shows off as a host-plant which is MUCH more than I can say for a hydrangea or butterfly bush (

Guess who just got approved for another year stewarding the 321 trailhead at the Middle Fork Greenway for Watauga Co? Mo...
07/23/2026

Guess who just got approved for another year stewarding the 321 trailhead at the Middle Fork Greenway for Watauga Co? More plans (and plants) to come! 🦋🐛☀️

Join the Blue Ridge Chapter on July 25, 2026 for a tour of the private garden of Dawn Anderson in Fleetwood, NC.Event-->...
07/13/2026

Join the Blue Ridge Chapter on July 25, 2026 for a tour of the private garden of Dawn Anderson in Fleetwood, NC.

Event--> Exploring Natural and Manmade Meadows in the Residential Landscape

We will have the opportunity to explore and observe meadows of native plants at various stages in their development, including seeded/natural meadows as well as a recently converted 3500 square foot lawn in its second year of growth. There are also conventionally planted landscaping beds using a diverse array of native species.

The walk will be on flat ground as well as hilly terrain, so trekking poles may be useful for those who want the extra support. Carpooling is encouraged as parking is limited, however there is a church down the road that can be used if necessary, and a shuttle will be provided to those who park there.

Rachel Knoepfel and John Dwyer of Magna Silva Gardens will lead the walk. They have been involved in the creation and management of this landscape for several years and will discuss the plants and the processes used to create and manage these diverse spaces.

Outing Details
Date and Time: Saturday, July 25 @ 9:00 am
Location: 1677 Conley Cheek Road, Fleetwood, NC 28626
Distance: ~.5 mile
Duration: 2 hours

All are welcome!

05/24/2026

Just a roadside meadow update from one of our gardens in Blowing Rock. A few years ago, the client suggested we added in some shrubs along the road to make it look “cared for,” and we suggested something a little different.

This area gets full sun throughout the day and is loaded with species native to North America. The Pycnanthemum species we have in this garden are star performers 💫

While Pycnanthemum muticum tends to be a hot shot because it’s more readily available, we really encourage you to branch out! 🌱

It’s been a wild week of planting, planting, planting before the rain 🌧️ And today we got in a planting day at Daniel Bo...
05/23/2026

It’s been a wild week of planting, planting, planting before the rain 🌧️ And today we got in a planting day at Daniel Boone Native Gardens in the rain!! 🌿🌿

Big thanks to all the volunteers that came out to plant and make this happen today. Thank you to Bob Oelberg for dedicating your time and creating a master plan for the garden. And big thanks to our fellow DBNG design committee members and the DBNG staff for showing this garden so much love ❤

Together we can transform this place into a community space that really shows people what a native garden can do!

We’re hiring!!! 🌿This has been a long time coming! Magna Silva Gardens is officially looking for a part-time landscape c...
05/12/2026

We’re hiring!!! 🌿

This has been a long time coming! Magna Silva Gardens is officially looking for a part-time landscape crew member to join our small, design-focused team in the High Country.

We create resilient, biodiverse landscapes inspired by the native plant communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, with a focus on thoughtful garden installation and ecological land stewardship.

This position is ideal for someone who:
• enjoys physical outdoor work and can lift 50lbs
• appreciates detail-oriented, quality work
• wants consistent part-time work
• works well on a small team

Position details:
• 20–30 hrs/week (typically 3 days/week)
• Starting pay: $20/hr
• Based in Blowing Rock, NC

Experience in landscaping, construction, nursery work, or related fields is a plus, but not required.

To apply, please send:
• a brief introduction
• your availability
• a resume with any relevant experience or work history

to [email protected]. Please feel free to email with more questions.

Thank you! 😊

When we’re not working (still working?) during all of this “free time” we have in the spring, we’re probably still doing...
05/11/2026

When we’re not working (still working?) during all of this “free time” we have in the spring, we’re probably still doing something plant-related.

This was a boots-off, wade-into-the-creek kind of day. We planted some royal ferns (Osmunda spectabilis) and cinnamon ferns (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) along this creek bank with .

This creek, like many others, was completely changed after Helene hit in late 2024. The US Army Corp of Engineers did some work along this creek last year, and our friends are just now getting their space back and starting to replant! 🌿🌿🌿

05/11/2026

Another one of our favorite native plants is Erigeron pulchellus or Robin’s plantain.

This native can grows in full sun up here in the mountains, but often prefers edge of the woodlands or shade in warmer climates. It can grow in dry to moist soils and has an evergreen rosette.

Not only do they add cheery spring blooms to your garden, but they’re also a vital early season nectar source for native insects! 🌼🌼🌼

Address

Boone, NC
28605

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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