Butterfly garden at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community. In 2008 Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community was designated as a Wildlife Habitat. The Community consists of 39 acres situated off Knox Abbott Avenue in West Columbia. Fifteen of these acres are designated as a perpetual memorial forest, and it is a wonderful space treasured by residents and staff alike.

A walking trail, complete with exercise stations make it most inviting as a place to be outdoors, get fresh air, soak up a little vitamin D, observe nature, and invigorate mind, body and soul all at the same time.

As a continuation of the interest in wildlife on the campus, the Environment and Grounds Committee in the spring of 2010 implemented a plan and established a Butterfly Garden. This garden is located in a semi–sunny spot along the walking trail and has become a real point of interest to those who walk the trails. It is shaped like a butterfly outlined with dwarf lorepetalum shrubs.

There are stepping stones that make a path through the center of the garden. A gift of a bird bath and bench was made to further help attract birds and butterflies as well as humans.

Planted in the garden are both perennials that include butterfly bushes in several colors, lantana, phlox, bachelor’s buttons, catchfly, euphorbia, columbine, Grecian roses, canary erysimums, Mexican petunias, Shasta daisies, brown–eyed Susans, and milkweed. Annuals include zinnias, marigolds, painted daisies, dianthus, and sunflowers. In addition to the flowering plants, there is parsley, dill, and fennel so that the caterpillars will have the food they need to survive.

The Butterfly Garden is a cooperative effort between the grounds crew of Still Hopes and the residents. The preparation of the soil and the planting of the border was done entirely by the staff. The funding and actual planting of the plants was done by resident volunteers.