Pollinator Garden comes to S.C. Botanical Garden Children’s Garden

CLEMSON – If you’re wondering what’s abuzz in the Children’s Garden at the South Carolina Botanical Garden, come check out the new Pollinator Garden!

The Susan K. Barr Pollinator Garden recently was installed at the Botanical Garden and serves as a place where children can learn about plants and pollinators. Pollinator gardens are planted and designed, with specific nectar and pollen producing plants, to attract pollinating insects known as pollinators. Bees, butterflies, flies, moths and wasps are some pollinators.

“This new addition is an excellent educational tool to use in teaching children the important role native bees play in landscapes and our lives,” said Patrick McMillan, garden director. “We encourage children who visit the Pollinator Garden to explore the native flowers and insects that pollinate them. This garden, as well as the rest of the Botanical Garden, provides valuable experiential learning opportunities unlike anywhere else.”

Features in the Pollinator Garden include a large garden space with more than 40 species of native plants, a watering can play station, a plaza space and a large graphic art piece with fun facts and photos of native bees. The design for the Pollinator Garden was created by Shannon Taylor Barrett, landscape architect for the Botanical Garden. Barrett coordinates land use planning, wayfinding, water conservation initiatives, garden design and implementation, as well as site project management. She also teaches sustainable garden design studios for the Horticulture Department at Clemson University and provides support visitor experience services for the Clemson Experimental Forest.

This garden is located adjacent to the Hayden Conference Center and Nature Learning Center, where the majority of Botanical Garden educational programs take place.

Funding for the Pollinator Garden was given in memory of Susan K. Barr, a garden enthusiast who had a passion for natural, restorative places. McMillan said the South Carolina Botanical Garden relies on generous donations like this to support its educational mission and to keep the Garden free and open to the public.

The South Carolina Botanical Garden is a 295-acre garden and natural area located at 150 Discovery Lane, Clemson, SC 29634-0174. Admission is free and the Botanical Garden is open from sunrise to sunset every day.

For more information, visit https://www.clemson.edu/public/scbg/childrens-garden/index.html.

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