Butterflies are one of nature’s beautiful surprises and they have an important role in our ecosystem. There are ways to attract more butterflies to gardens and yards. On Thursday, June 22, at 5 pm, the Greene County libraries are hosting a Butterfly Gardening program at Thomas Jefferson Gardens, at 201 E Lincoln Way in Jefferson, that will provide ways to do that.
Jean Walker will be the featured speaker at this program. Walker is a Master Gardener, head gardener at Thomas Jefferson Gardens, and a retired owner of a greenhouse and flower shop.
Walker says, “I have always loved flowers and gardening, I get this from my grandparents. There is nothing more pleasing than to see something grow and turn into a beautiful flower. Most plants are pollinators and some are better than others. You plant them, water them, care for them like children, and then enjoy the beauty. It is the same with butterflies. Butterflies are like a new planting, they start out as a caterpillar and turn into a beautiful and colorful butterfly!”
Attendees can tour the Thomas Jefferson Gardens and enter a drawing two tickets to Reiman Gardens in Ames.
Thomas Jefferson Gardens brings to life the prairies that welcomed Lewis and Clark explorers and early settlers, heritage plants from Monticello, farming practices of Thomas Jefferson’s time, outdoor musical instruments to experience, a children’s garden, and much more.
Everyone is welcome to this companion program to Greene County Reads held last September, where participants discussed the book “The Butterfly Effect” written by Rachel Mans McKenny and set primarily in the Butterfly Wing at Reiman Gardens. A free flower will be offered to discussion participants and all who attend this program while supplies last.
This free event is sponsored by the Greene County board of supervisors and the Greene County Librarians Association.
