Library launches new pollinator pocket garden to attract birds, butterflies, and bees.

Westerville, Ohio - The Westerville Public Library recently partnered with volunteers from Sustainable Westerville and Wild Ones Columbus to install a new garden featuring 19 different native plant species near the drive-thru window at the Uptown branch (126 S. State St, Westerville, OH 43081).   

Inspired by the Franklin County Pollinator Pathway initiative, volunteers approached the library in March about adding a pollinator-friendly garden. “The idea felt like the right fit at the right time, given that one of the library’s current strategic initiatives is sustainability,” says Tamara Murray, Marketing Manager for the library and volunteer for Sustainable Westerville.  

Thanks to a generous donation of 25 bags of black wood shredded mulch from the Home Depot on Maxtown Rd, volunteers were able to smother the existing grass and prepare the site for planting on July 19, 2026. 

The grass was mowed short, then cardboard was laid down to help kill the grass. Mulch was spread on top as the final step to prepare the site. 

After waiting until temperatures cooled down a bit, planting began on September 27, 2026. Volunteers donated 150 plants for the cause and were able to get them in the ground within just a few short hours.  

“We’re excited to showcase flowers that feature spring, summer, and fall blooms. This ensures that pollinators have plenty to eat throughout the year,” shared Marty Freado, a volunteer for Wild Ones Columbus.   

“This also helps the library save money on mowing services, with this location being a hard-to-mow patch of grass,” says Jen Thomas, Uptown Branch Manager for the library.  

All of the plants selected are under 2 feet tall to ensure that they don’t obscure visibility for motorists driving by. It will take up to 3 years for the plants to reach full maturity, but some of the plants are already blooming, ready to attract local pollinators. 

List of Plants included:  

1. Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium) 
2. Blue mistflower, aka hardy ageratum (Conoclinium coelestinum)  
3. Blue violet (Viola sororia)   
4. Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) 
5. Copper iris (Iris fulva) 
6. Downy skullcap (Scutellaria incana)  
7. Golden alexander (Zizia aurea) 
8. Leavenworth sedge (Carex leavenworthii) 
9. Lyre-leaf sage (Salvia lyrata) 
10. Parlin’s pussytoes (Antennaria parlinii) 
11. Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) 
12. Standing cypress (Ipomopsis rubra)  
13. Stonecrop (Sedum ternatum)  
14. Nodding onion (Allium cernuum)  
15. Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)  
16. Soft rush (Juncus effusus)  
17. Thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica) 
18. Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)  
19. Wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)