Native Plant Gardens
Wright Library Supports the Native Plant Initiative
Wright Library supports a community-wide initiative to include native and pollinator plants into the landscape. Physical garden spaces across the library campus embrace this with plants and educational resources. Programming throughout the year connects the public with national and local experts, providing guidance and instruction. At the library's core is a book and media collection rich with books, articles, videos, and digital resources for anyone wanting to include native and pollinator plants in their own yards. With the library’s mission and core values at the forefront, Wright Library will continue to enhance services like this to the Oakwood community in important and unexpected ways.
The Native Plant Gardens at Wright Library
Native and pollinator plants can be found across the Wright Library campus, with three focal points that address different aspects of native plant benefits. A great deal of inspiration and guidance came from the 2021 Community Read of "Nature's Best Hope" by Douglas Tallamy, and has continued to "grow" with support from local civic groups and individuals energized by adding native plants in a suburban landscape to support local and migrating pollinators and birds.
Native Plant Pollinator Sun Garden
Established in 2022, the Native Pollinator Sun Garden is located on the southeast corner of the library (near Telford Avenue). It consists of over 40 different species of Ohio's indigenous plants and qualifies as a Monarch Waystation Habitat. Signs within the garden educate on the importance of pollinators and the benefits of including native plants in the urban landscape.
[Sun Plant List PDF]
The Native Pollinator Sun Garden was made possible through funding and volunteers from Green Oakwood; Tadmor Greenes; OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (OSUE MGV); Dayton Area Wild Ones; Four Seasons Garden Club; MOMs of Oakwood; Lilly Rich with Girl Scouts of America; the City of Oakwood; Montgomery County; and the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation.
Native Plant Shade Garden
Established in 2023, the Native Plant Shade Garden is located on the northeast side of the library (near Aberdeen Avenue). It consists of over 35 different species of Ohio's indigenous plants that thrive in shadier spaces. A Serviceberry tree is surrounded by native bushes and a variety of Ohio’s beautiful spring ephemerals, wildflowers, and groundcovers. Signs within the garden educate and identify the beauty of shade varieties.
[Shade Plant List PDF]
The Native Plant Shade Garden was made possible through funding and volunteers who brought a depth of knowledge and commitment to shade garden development and community education: Greater Dayton Partners for the Environment; Green Oakwood; MEEC (Marianist Environmental Education Center); Tadmor Greenes; Dayton Area Wild Ones; the City of Oakwood; Montgomery County; and the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation.
Book Drop Native Garden
Established in 2023, the Book Drop Native Garden is located on the southeast side of the library (near Telford Avenue) directly behind the Book Drop. The variety of sun-loving native plants provide natural beauty to the landscape while providing resources for birds, bees, and insects.
[Book Drop Plant List PDF]
The Library Book Drop Garden was made possible through funding providing by the Wright Library Foundation with guidance from Deeply Rooted Landscapes.
Funding & Support
In 2023, the Wright Library Board of Trustees publicly awarded a resolution of gratitude to the volunteers and community groups that were instrumental in the ideation, planning, and creation of the Wright Memorial Public Library Native Plant and Pollinator Gardens: Michele Banker, Maura and Steve Boesch, Marisa Burwell, Kate Chesar, Matt Ferrara, Patti Gierine, Leanne Jablonski, Cheryl Lloyd, Debbie Karr, Kara Maynard, Lilly and Theo Rich, Eric Sauer, Nadja Turek, Cheryl Vargas, Karen Veve, The City of Oakwood, Dayton Area Wild Ones, Four Seasons Garden Club, Girl Scouts of America, MEEC (Marianist Environmental Education Center), MOMs of Oakwood, Montgomery County, OSU Extension Master Gardeners, Tadmore Greenes, and the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation.
Why Plant Natives?
Wright Library has gathered a collection of tips and resources to help you integrate native plants into your own landscape, as well as support pollinators, birds, and threatened insect species.
Stay Connected!
Sign up for the Wright Library's Garden and Green Initiatives Interest Group to receive updates about related events and volunteer opportunities.
Ecology & Nature Programs
Wright Library hosts a variety of Ecology & Nature programs for adults and youth to explore the gardens and connect with national and local experts.
Community Gathering
Local ecology groups also gather in the library's public Meeting Rooms.
Oakley Woody Rock Snake
Oakley Woody is a community rock snake that lives in the Wright Library Sun and Shade Gardens. Library visitors are welcome to add to the rock snake by painting a rock and adding it to the perimeter of either garden. Oakley Woody was introduced in 2023 by members of the Oakwood MOMS group and has become an interactive way for kids and adults to show their creative support of Wright Library.