A crowd gathered despite the summer heat to see butterflies alighting skyward and descending onto colorful petals behind the Leesburg Public Library at 9:30 a.m. on June 25 to welcome a new pollinator garden.
Planted by the volunteers of Leesburg in Bloom, a city beautification board, the garden brims with zinnias, salvia, milkweed and other enticing blossoms to butterfly species, including Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra Longwings, as well as bees and maybe even hummingbirds. Around 70 species make up the floral installation.
Leesburg City Commissioner Alan Reisman has been spreading the word and helping out Leesburg’s affiliate chapter of the national America in Bloom organization.
Why pollinators?
The creation of dedicated pollinator spaces is becoming increasingly critical for local ecosystems. “When we have this mass expansion of urban landscapes, what we’re losing is our woodlands, our pastures, and they’re turning into urban yards,” explains Jaret Daniels, an entomologist and wildlife expert with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
“When this happens, wildlife can be displaced greatly. But there’s really a lot we can do in our home yards and in the urban landscape to provide for honey bees and other wildlife.” By offering a safe haven rich in native nectar and host plants, the Leesburg Public Library garden acts as a vital stepping stone, allowing these essential insects to forage and thrive within a growing city environment.
Petal power draws crowd to library event
Reisman joined Leesburg in Bloom Director Lisa Humphreys, Mayor Allyson Berry, and other local luminaries to relish in the release of some 150 butterflies over the stunning flower paths.
“The Pollinator Garden at the Leesburg Library is more than a beautiful landscape; it’s a reflection of what dedicated volunteers can accomplish,” Reisman told the Daily Commercial.
“The Leesburg In Bloom Board has invested countless hours planning, planting and partnering with others to create a lasting gift for our community. Their passion is helping Leesburg bloom one project at a time.”
Looking ahead …
Local beekeepers Billy Fussell of Bee Fussy Apiary and Jake Mitchem of Mitchem Bee Company are planning to introduce beehives located on the roof, painted lovingly by volunteers. According to Fussell, the bees will be placed there sometime in the coming weeks and should have honey to harvest by this time next year. It’s honey that the library can sell to raise much-needed funds.
If all goes well and the Leesburg in Bloom effort succeeds in all of its stages, the new library garden will provide patrons with a meditative timeout in fresh air, rounding out an enriching downtown experience and reminding us all of the importance of pollinators.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Butterflies take flight at Leesburg pollinator garden celebration
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial | USA TODAY Network
