The McHugh House - 4524 Virginia Street, Zachary, LA

Historic 1903 boutique Victorian bed and breakfast in Zachary's downtown Historic District, across from Zachary Gazebo and live bands during City of Zachary events, and the Farmers Market... Read More » 

Deb Bellingham, owner and proprietor of the McHugh House bed and breakfast on Virginia Street, has earned a prestigious Gold Designation from the Louisiana Native Plant Society for her Louisiana Native Garden.

Bellingham has been working on the Victorian’s gardens for three years in anticipation of her October 18 inspection. She says one of the biggest challenges has been maintaining the Victorian look with our state’s native species. If not done methodically, a native garden can look, well, like an overgrown plot of weeds. 

Louisiana native plants are species that naturally thrive in the state's unique climate and ecosystems, helping to conserve the state’s natural plants, animals, lands and waters. They provide food and shelter for native birds, insects, and animals, helping to maintain biodiversity–as evidenced by all of the happy pollinators attracted to the Virginia Street bed and breakfast. 

Bellingham incorporated several native grasses into the gardens, like sea oats, sedge and pink muhly grass. Along the front gates grow black-eyed Susans, love-in-a-mist (such a cottagecore staple!), little bluestem, Indian Blanket, and boneset. Boneset tea is a folk remedy for fever, and traditionally the leaves were wrapped around broken bones to promote their healing.

Bellingham sourced many of her plants at Beaver’s Abundance Native Plant Nursery in Prairieville. The stakes with species names are nearby in the soil, for reference. 

Next time you’re on Virginia Street downtown, take a moment to admire Bellingham’s hard work and efforts to promote beauty and sustainability in our corner of the world. 

The Louisiana Native Garden designation celebrates gardens that use native plants to support local wildlife and preserve the state's natural beauty. Native plants are eco-friendly, needing less water and upkeep, and they help create healthier, more sustainable environments. This program encourages people to connect with Louisiana's natural heritage while promoting conservation and community involvement.