Beginnings of the Reflection Garden

In 2013, a group of residents, who live in the Blue Ridge Mountains and within the Wintergreen Resort, decided to design and construct a Wintergreen “Reflection Garden,” which will provide a place of peace and space for reflection on Wintergreen owners or employees who have passed on. 

We are working in collaboration with the Wintergreen Property Owners Association (WPOA), and the Garden is located behind the Chestnut Springs Pavilion and Pool.

Landscaping will include woodland plants, rocks and benches. WPOA has been incredibly supportive in providing site clearing, soil, planting of privacy trees, and mulch. The project will require the purchase of certain materials, such as river stones, plants, benches, and signage. 

To pay for the landscaping, we are accepting contributions. After Phase 1 of the garden landscaping is completed (summer 2014), we will provide a means for memorializing individuals. Any Wintergreen owner, former owner, extended family member, plus WPOA and Resort employees can be memorialized through 3-5” memory river stones. The stones will be engraved with the deceased’s name and placed among smaller stones encircling the center boulders. Details about how to purchase memory river stones for the Garden will be provided later this year.

As of today, we have developed a conceptual garden plan and guidelines; cleared the garden area; placed boulders in the central area; planted 12 privacy White Pines, 2 Serviceberry, 3 Kousa dogwoods, 9 red-twig dogwoods and 6 Spice Bushes.

Next steps include planting of the border berms, laying river stones around center boulders, and mulching the path and open central area.