Terryville Library Pollinator Garden

Visit our Pollinator Garden behind the Library for a quiet place to read, work or study while still remaining within range of the Library’s wireless network.  As you leave the library through the rear entrance, walk across the parking lot (look both ways first!) and climb the stairs.  To your left is our Pollinator Garden.

Why a Pollinator Garden?

You may have heard that bees are disappearing and bats are dying. These and other animal pollinators face many challenges in the modern world. Habitat loss, disease, parasites, and environmental contaminants have all contributed to the decline of many species of pollinators. Pollinators that can’t find the right quantity or quality of food (nectar and pollen from blooming plants within flight range) don’t survive.

We have provided pollinator-friendly plants to bloom in this space during Spring, Summer and Fall, providing necessary food for bees, butterflies, birds and other animals.  See if you can find Echinacea, Yarrow and Swamp Milkweed within the garden beds.  These are each good sources of food for hungry pollinators.

How can you help?

You can help pollinators in your garden at home. Pollinators make use of food and habitat anywhere it is found, whether on roadsides, in a schoolyard garden or a planter on a windowsill. Here’s how:

• Plant Native Plants. Native plants are considered the best choice because of their abundance of nectar and pollen in addition to being low maintenance, generally pest free, drought tolerant, and ability to control erosion. They are good sources of food and shelter for wildlife, and naturally beautiful.
• Spread Awareness. Educate others about the importance of pollinators and share how you planted for bees, butterflies, birds and other animals at home.
• Plant a continuous food supply. Choose pollinator-friendly plants that bloom during each of the three blooming periods — spring, summer and fall.  It is especially important to plant flowers that bloom in early spring and late summer so bees have adequate food when emerging from and preparing for winter hibernation. Plant in groupings (clumps) of each plant species for a greater impact.   (Helpful Hint: Did you know dandelions are the first food for bees emerging in the spring. Leave them in your yard and feed the bees! Dandelion petals and leaves are also edible and can be used in salads.)
• Limit or eliminate use of pesticides. A healthy garden with the appropriate plant species and an abundance of pollinators will support natural beneficial insects—reducing the need for pest control.
• Include a diversity of plants. Different flower sizes, shapes and colors, as well as varying plant heights and growth habits, support a greater number and diversity of pollinators. Include a combination of native plant species, heirloom plants and herbs in your pollinator garden. Common herbs such as rosemary, oregano, basil, marjoram, and borage are excellent bee plants. Allow unharvested fruits and vegetables to bolt (go to flower) for added bee food.  The Xerces Society offers an excellent resource listing native plants for our area here.
• Install bat boxes. Bats are also pollinators that need our help. Add a bat box to provide habitat to this important pollinator.

Resources for Kids

All about Pollinators!  – Learn about how different kinds of pollinators.

Pollinator Activity Guide – Do some hands-on exploration of pollinators and their critical role in our environment.

Special thanks to Chase Porter from Porter Landscaping, LLC for his assistance preparing the ground and to Lisa and Steve Courtney for their dedicated care tending the garden since 2021.