The Royal Oak Public Library is very excited about establishing a butterfly-friendly garden on their grounds to provide educational opportunities and enjoyment for the community.

Documents

• April 13th presentation
• Royal Oak Public Library's host and nectar plant list

What exactly is a butterfly garden?

A butterfly garden is a haven or sanctuary that includes plants that are inviting to butterflies. A butterfly garden contains plants that meet the butterfly's needs during all four life stages: the egg; caterpillar; chrysalis; and adult. A butterfly garden includes plants necessary for butterflies to lay their eggs (host plants) and plants that will provide nourishment for the butterflies (nectar plants).

Who is working on the project?

• A team of 5 Master Gardener volunteers from the Michigan State University Master Gardener Program.
• The City of Royal Oak's DPS and its Park Service.
• The Royal Oak Farmers Market is partnering with the library.

Why establish a butterfly garden?

• Butterfly gardens are beautiful.
• The garden will be a community project that everyone can enjoy, from toddlers to their grand parents.
• The project will provide a demonstration garden for home gardeners.
• Workshops for children and adults will be held in the garden.
• The garden will promote volunteer and educational opportunities.
• Everyone will be able to commune with nature and have fun.

How can you contribute?

• You can volunteer your time. Visit the library and complete a volunteer application. Or e-mail ROPL Librarian, Mary Ann Dekane. If you don't have access to e-mail, please call Mary Ann at 248-246-3714. You will be contacted by one of our Master Gardeners who will get you started.
• You can contribute monetarily to the project. Your check should be made payable to the Royal Oak Public Library; write "garden" in the memo field.
• You can donate plants and/or shrubs to the project. See plant list for specific plants and shrubs that are needed for the butterfly garden.
• E-mail ROPL Librarian, Mary Ann Dekane for more information about volunteering and donating plants.

Special Thanks

We wish to thank the following people for their total support and commitment to the project:

• Master Gardeners: Sandra Cole. Beth D'Anna, Emily Fronckowiak, Mary Jean Skiba, and Sid Thomas.
• Carol Lenchek, Master Gardener Coordinator of the Oakland Extension Office of the Michigan State University Master Gardener Volunteer Program.
• Greg Rassel, Royal Oak Director of Recreation & Public Services.
• Dan Dickinson, Supervisor - Royal Oak Parks & Forestry.
• Gwen Ross and the Royal Oak Farmers Market.
• Mary Ann DeKane, Royal Oak Public Library adult librarian.

Tips for establishing your own Butterfly Garden

Our team of Master Gardeners created and presented a lecture on establishing a butterfly garden on April 13, 2009 at the Royal Oak Public Library.