Secret garden serves as haven for butterflies, birds

Secret garden serves as haven for butterflies, birds
Photo by Robin Shackelford, Blue Ribbon News.

ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX (October 1, 2014) Greeted by a grand stone waterfall at the entrance, Natalie’s Butterfly Sanctuary is nestled almost secretly off FM 550. Once inside the gates of this garden, it is easy to feel transported to another world as butterflies flitter above the greenery, flowers peek out of every corner and vines hang overhead.

Photo by Nelida Spurrell.

These 12 acres of organic gardens and natural stone pathways are home to migrating butterflies, birds, insects and wildlife including bobcats and coyotes. The sanctuary began as just two small flowerbeds that were the gift from a doting father to his daughter.

The family of Randall Noe privately owns the butterfly sanctuary but there may be plans to open it to the public one day. In fact, caretaker and master gardener Nelida Spurrell toured the Master Gardeners ofRockwallCountyand Leadership Rockwall class through the sanctuary this past year.

The waterfalls and ponds loaded with lily pads, frogs, and insects glistened in the sun as the native Brazilian environmentalist spoke of her responsibilities and devotion to the gardens with passion.

“I know how important it is to preserve this type of land and its wildlife. It is important to the county and to this family and I want to make sure it is here for their grandchildren, too,” Spurrell said.

Photo by Nelida Spurrell.

Spurrell came from Brazil over 15 years ago and has worked at different botanic gardens in the Dallas area. She is involved with many nonprofit organizations that are focused on the preservation of the environment. She has been the managing caretaker of these gardens for just over three years.

“It is so important for us to preserve the landscape and take care of our environment and care for the wildlife or we will lose what is so beautiful about Rockwall,” said Spurrell.

She suggests planting for year round blooms for butterflies to feed continuously when possible.

Spurrell spends endless hours maintaining the gardens to provide a natural habitat for the life cycle of butterflies. Vines, herbs, shrubs and trees flourish throughout the landscape.  Spurrell nurtures all of the host plants for caterpillars such as Milkweeds, Pipevines and Passion Vines and nectar plants for butterflies including coneflowers, lantanas and zinnias.

Photo by Nelida Spurrell.

Natural ponds and springs from the property water the gardens. She uses organic pest control methods to control grasshoppers and mosquitoes and purchases only organic plants for the gardens.

“There are many alternatives to pest control and one is taking preventative steps to discourage mosquito breeding grounds,” advises Spurrell.

Nelida “Neli” Spurrell can be reached by email to give private tours to groups interested in learning more about butterfly habitats, organic gardening and pest control at .

By Robin Shackelford, Blue Ribbon News reporter.

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