By Aubry Winfrey
As we begin a new year at Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, we reflect on where we have been and what lies on our journey ahead. 2025 was the year of resilience and in 2026, we look towards renewal.
We have been overwhelmed by people’s love for our bridge both near and far. In late 2025 we set up an Amazon Wish List as a way for people to help support our recovery. The response we received was and continues to be incredible.
Within days, we had received enough packages to fill the bed of a pickup truck several times. Items ranging from storage shelving to gardening tools have been donated so far. LLFB will continue to use the Amazon Wish List as a tool for the community to support us. To learn more about the items we are currently highlighting, look for the Amazon icon at the top of our website, LLFB.org
The LLFB Education Center will open soon, and we can’t wait to resume our mission of sharing love and knowledge of plants with old and young. The road back from the storm damage was a long and bumpy ride. We are thrilled to now be able to connect with the community in this space. The LLFB Education Center will offer classes, workshops and guest speakers on horticulture, environmental science, and art. We will also have educational displays and exhibits for guests and activities for adults and children to enjoy while visiting the gardens.
New garden development planning has been a major focus for our board members in our season of renewal. We would like to give special thanks to the task force members who put in many hours to create the vision for the new gardens: Kathy Tanner, Debbie Clark, Susie Ellis, Laura McNeill and Lisa Willis. We get many questions about what the new gardens will look like. Here is a sneak peek at what is on the drawing board and a shout out to some of our generous sponsors.
- A Swing with a View – Sponsored by Two Green Thumbs Garden Club, this trellis garden showcases climbing plants and shrubs.
- Peter Rabbit – Our children’s garden will feature a picket fence, planters for vegetables and herbs, and tic tac toe.
- Rainbow Bridge Gardens – Designed by Paul Zimmerman, this space will feature a custom rainbow bridge, plants, water feature and benches.
- All Twisted Up Garden – Sponsored by Lake Lure Pottery, this garden represents how our lives were twisted up after Hurricane Helen and features plants selected for their twisted branches and patterns.
- Butterfly Haven Garden – Sponsored by Southern Living Plant Collections, come see our special butterfly made of hens and chicks and sedum. Enjoy the collection of plants that are favorites of our butterfly visitors.
- Woodland Fairy Garden – Sponsored by Southern Living Plant Collections, this whimsical space features perennials winding through fairy gardens made of stumps.
We are excited about the 2026 season and can’t wait to welcome you all. Come visit! Follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages and at LLFB.org to donate and for the latest information.
