The Butterfly Highway at Waterfall Glen

The air at Waterfall Glen Soap Company had always smelled faintly of lavender and patchouli, but lately, a new scent was beginning to mingle with the familiar fragrances: the fresh, earthy promise of spring.
Douglas, the company's owner, stood on the cracked asphalt in front of his building, surveying the expanse of what he affectionately called “the green desert.”
“It’s just… so much wasted potential,” he sighed, gesturing to the utterly lifeless lawn.
“All that over-fertilized grass and those persistent weeds. We could do so much more, thinking of the butterfly garden again.”
“Our goal is to replace over-fertilized grass and those weeds for wildflowers. A riot of color, buzzing with life. A real haven for pollinators right here in front of our workshop.”

The idea wasn’t new. For years, Douglas had dreamed of transforming the sterile lawn into a vibrant ecosystem. He envisioned monarch butterflies flitting between milkweed, birds dancing over coneflowers, and a steady hum of bees collecting nectar. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about purpose. Waterfall Glen Soap Company prided itself on its natural ingredients and sustainable practices, and a butterfly garden felt like a natural extension of their ethos.

“Monarch butterflies migrate 3,000 miles each year to roost in Mexico. Why not give them a little boost of energy and a place to rest on their journey,” he said.
“And bees,” he added. “Folks are always chatting about how bees are disappearing. Why not give them a helping hand, or in this case, a little bud of nectar to sip?”

Within a few months, the “green desert” was no more. In its place, a vibrant tapestry of blue, pink and purple coneflowers, bright yellow black-eyed Susans, and delicate blue button flowers emerged. The air, once solely scented with soap, now carried the sweet perfume of blooming wildflowers. And, true to Doug’s vision, the garden teemed with life. Monarchs, with their distinctive orange and black wings, danced among the flowers. Bees buzzed lazily from blossom to blossom, and a rainbow of other butterflies, attracted by the diverse flora, fluttered in the sun.

The butterfly garden became more than just a pretty face for Waterfall Glen Soap Company. It was a living testament to their values, a place where nature thrived, and a quiet sanctuary for employees and customers alike. Once Doug began on his venture, he was determined to replace most of the grass along his entire East Main Street lawn. Last year, he created a French drain system and built a small rock stream bed to channel water from his basement sump pump outward and away from the property. “We decided to use natural solutions to resolve drainage and aesthetics,” he said.

People would often pause as they strolled past the workshop, taking a moment to simply watch the butterflies, a serene smile on their faces. The scent of lavender and patchouli still permeated the air, but now, it was harmoniously blended with the sweet fragrance of a thousand blooming wildflowers, a truly natural perfume.

Neighbors and visitors quickly took notice of the transformation, with many offering to pitch in during planting days. Community planting events became a monthly tradition, drawing local gardeners, families, and children eager to learn about native plants and responsible landscaping. Garden beds dedicated to elderberry and goldenrod provided additional food sources for caterpillars and migrating birds.

At Waterfall Glen Soap Company, free weekend tours of the soap-making workshop now include guided strolls through the butterfly garden. Visitors can learn about cold process soap techniques, discover how essential oils are extracted, and see firsthand how the garden’s blooms inspire new seasonal scents. Limited-edition bars featuring wild lavender and prairie rose essential oils sold out within days of release.

This garden project has also influenced the company’s product roadmap. Seasonal harvests of calendula and chamomile are now cold-infused into herbal oils used in soothing soap bars and luxurious bath bombs. Sustainable partnerships with native plant nurseries ensure that every addition to the garden supports local biodiversity.

As spring turns to summer, the butterfly garden stands as a vibrant bridge between Waterfall Glen Soap Company’s commitment to natural ingredients and its belief in community stewardship. Visitors leave with more than a handcrafted soap—they depart inspired to cultivate their own little havens for pollinators, one flower at a time.