Our mission is to maintain gardens that are enjoyable, inspirational and used to educate people about gardening and its health and environmental benefits.

With the start of summer, we have lots going on that you won't want to miss. Roses reach their peak during June, and ours are putting on quite a show. Visit us soon and see these spectacular blooms, said to inspire love, passion, and admiration. Keep reading and find out all we have going on this month that you won't want to miss!

Our Joseph's Coat rose boasts peach and yellow petals. Find it in our Atrium Garden.

One of our favorites in the Rose Garden is this Peace rose.

You'll love the bright yellow petals on our Larger Than Life tree rose. Find it in our Rose Garden.

The cheerful Strawberry Fields climbing rose will welcome you when entering our gardens from the east entrance.

There's something for everyone at our Pollinator Week Celebration. Bring the whole family and come dressed as your favorite pollinator just for fun!

While visiting the Bridge, stop and take a look at the beginning construction of our new Education Center, where we can offer future learning opportunities all year long!

Due to construction, please plan to park at the Lake Lure Welcome Center near Morse Park, a short walk to the Bridge. For your safety, please watch for all construction signage.

Come check out all the fun!

• Browse our educational information tables.
• Learn about butterflies and see live butterfly caterpillars.
• Learn about bees from a local beekeeper.
• Dress up as a beekeeper for photo fun.
• Talk to puppets Granny Gardener, her dog Daisy, and Buzzy Bee.
• Listen to stories from Marjorie Monarch.
• Learn about hummingbirds and other pollinators, native plants, pollinator gardens and beneficial insects.
• Create a butterfly art project to take home.
• Take home something special from our plant and merchandise sales.

Volunteer Spotlight:

Geneva Matteis

A ten-year veteran LLFB volunteer, Geneva Matteis says, "Dad always had a large vegetable garden and mom spent her spare time in her flower gardens. My chores included helping in both gardens." Geneva would also wander through the woods to dig up wildflowers and pot them in anything she could find to hold dirt, something she still does today.

Geneva and her husband, Richard, taught Country-Western dance for 35 years. They were hired to teach at country music festivals in England, which took them to Europe about four times a year. After retirement, they moved to Florida and also built a log cabin in Bat Cave, which includes a Bocci court.

"This gave me the great privilege of touring gardens throughout Europe, both large and small, public and private. My favorites were the English cottage gardens and colorful tulip fields in the Netherlands."

"About 10 years ago, my neighbor Lynn Lang (also an LLFB volunteer) invited me to help her on the Bridge. It is truly a labor of love!"

Look for Geneva on Tuesdays when she's tending the White Garden, next to the Potting Shed. Stop by and say hello!

Friends of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge is a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to help preserve and maintain the Bridge gardens and to support our new Education Center are always appreciated – and tax-deductible.

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