Bruce J. Host Northeast Branch Library Project - Native Plant and Wildflower Demonstration Garden Rosalynn Carter Monarch Butterfly Trail Extension to Tallahassee
By Veronica Donnelly
Tallahassee Garden Club, Babies Breath Circle, is striving to assist in local habitat improvement and environmental education via its native plant and wildflower demonstration garden at the Bruce J. Host Library, 5513 Thomasville Road, Bradfordville, Florida. Since receiving a Plant America Grant in 2023, the garden and plant identifier signs have been well received by the public. As a result, the circle expanded the project through a Ben Fusaco Grant from the Apalachee Audubon Society and a Library Wildflower Demonstration Grant from the Florida Wildflower Foundation in 2024.
The application for the Ben Fusaco Grant helped the circle identify current needs for the garden expansion and narrowed the 2024 focus to additional native plantings and freshwater basins to encourage native birds, butterflies and other pollinators to use the area. The grant award gave the circle funds needed for these improvements, plus advice and counsel from Donna Legare, former owner of Native Nurseries..
Donna’s knowledge and work with the circle helped with the selection and location of the new plants purchased from Native Nurseries. Numerous consultations with her reduced the number of trial and error experiences usually suffered by novices attempting to create wildlife habitats. Her suggestions on birdbaths, stepping stones, and hardscape maintenance greatly contributed to a successful expansion. Donna’s skill in anticipating how plants will grow, spread, reseed, and fill the area will continue to be appreciated in the years to come.
The Florida Wildflower Foundation awarded Tallahassee the Pilot Library Wildflower Demonstration Garden for the Northwest Florida Region, one of three regional grants in the state. Marina Mertz from the foundation, advised and assisted with the purchase and maintenance of the garden area allocated to this project. Marina’s expertise, excitement, and teachings were well received and she continues to assist with the four year commitment to the program.
In 2025, the Tallahassee Garden Club generously donated funds to double the size of the garden so that it filled the entire area the library allows the circle to use for the project. This donation enabled the circle to buy more plants,water features, and garden structures. Identifier signs were upgraded; soil and mulch were added.
Over the last two years, all of the garden improvements have caused an increase in native bees, birds, and butterflies at the site.The number of butterflies of various species in the garden has increased fivefold. This change in the surroundings inspired the circle to apply for, and obtain, registration as a public garden on the Rosalynn Carter Monarch Butterfly Trail. Prior to registration, the trail stopped in Thomasville, Georgia, before arriving at St.Marks.Other types of butterflies are being encouraged to the area as well, due to a careful selection of host plants.
The circle seeks to motivate library patrons to learn about native plants from our posted placards with common and Latin plant names,and QR codes. These codes are tied to our website page on the Florida Wildflower Foundation site and are meant to persuade neighbors to add plants they enjoy to their own yards. Many visitors have confessed to using some of the native plant choices in their own backyards, thanks to the library demonstration garden.
Native Nurseries has inspired and promoted this community project. The circle and The Tallahassee Garden Club, Inc., are indebted and thankful for the help. We have received an exceptional, hands-on education about native plants, regional ecology, and conservation. As undeveloped lands close to the library are developed, the demonstration garden will gain greater importance in local education about the unique ecology and biodiversity of North Florida and the need for native plantings in our own backyards.
