What is the history of the Native Plant Garden at the Southborough Library?
The Native Plant Garden at the Southborough Library was planted on the lawn and completed in June 2021 with funding from the Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) distributed by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). Volunteers from the Southborough Open Space Preservation Commission helped initially plant and maintain it through June 2024.
What plants can be found in the Southborough Library’s Native Plant Garden?
The Native Plant Garden is located off the parking lot on the library lawn. We are fortunate to have a wide variety of plants in our Native Plant Garden! Wild Lupine, Sweet Goldenrod, Swamp Rose, and Scarlet Beebalm are just a few of the over 20 plants in the garden. Stroll through the path, and you will see that most plants are labeled with both their common and Latin names. Here is a map of the garden and a list of some of the plants — but it changes!
What is a Native Plant Garden?
A native plant garden, also known as natural landscaping, is a garden that uses plants that are native to the local area and have adapted to the climate and soil conditions. Native plants can include trees, shrubs, groundcover, and grasses. Native Plant Gardens can also be considered Pollinator Gardens. Pollinator Gardens provide food and shelter for pollinators and other animals, such as birds and insects, throughout the seasons. Native plants help to ensure a heatlhy, biologically diverse landscape.
What is Pollination?
Pollination is the physical movement of pollen from the male part of a plant to the female part of a plant. Without pollination, a plant cannot grow. Pollination happens by animals (including insects), wind, and water.
Who are some of the Pollinators?
Pollinators are bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, birds, and bats, all of which we can find in the Southborough Library Native Plant Garden.
What do Pollinators Need?
Source: A Northern Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants and Pollinators by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla
Why is a Native Plant Garden Important?
“Providing a wildflower-rich habitat is the most significant action you can take to support pollinators. Native plants, which are adapted to local soils and climates, are usually the best sources of nectar and pollen for native pollinators.”
Source: 100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators Thrive by the Xerces Society.
How Can I Help?
Adults and teens interested in helping maintain and grow the garden should reach out to Marianna at msorensen@southboroughma.com to sign up for our dedicated newsletter. We’ll update you on programs and volunteer opportunities.
Why does the Native Plant Garden looks so messy?
Unlike a well-manicured or formal garden you may see in other areas of the library grounds or have in your yard, the nature of a Native Plant Garden is to leave it untended! Pollinators need us to keep the fallen leaves, browned stems, and bloomed flower buds during the cold and snowy months so that they can they can gather seeds, burrow, and nest. Rather than cut it back in the fall, as you might a more formal garden, we leave it as is. In the Spring, we sometimes cut plants back to 8-10 inches so that new growth can come through. But even then, we leave the cuttings in the garden to provide nesting for pollinators. Native Plant Gardens remain through the stunning flowering stages, along with the “messier” cycles.
So, when the garden looks messy, please remember that’s what our pollinators need to continue to live and pollinate! Be patient. It will begin blooming in the late spring and summer and be beautiful again!
How Can I Learn More?
Take a look at the attached list of books we have here in Southborough or browse the online catalogue for other books of interest. Also, contact Marianna at msorensen@southboroughma.com to sign up for our dedicated newsletter, where we’ll keep you informed of upcoming programs and volunteer opportunities.
