The Berlin Horticulture Advisory Committee is continuing to prioritize beautification around town with pollinator gardens, and areas of flora and fauna.
One of the earliest beautification projects led by members the Berlin Horticulture Advisory Committee, pictured with volunteers, was the garden at Burbage Park on William Street.
Courtesy photo
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
The Berlin Horticulture Advisory Committee continues to prioritize beautification in town.
Since 2022, the committee, in collaboration with Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall, has worked to create pollinator gardens, areas of flora and fauna planted to produce nectar and pollen and attract pollinating insects throughout downtown.
Pollinator gardens aim to provide sufficient energy sources, or pollen, to declining insects like bees and other pollinating creatures. These critters are essential to maintaining a prosperous ecosystem and supplying humans with food to meet nutritional needs.
Berlin has committed itself to the beautification effort by creating these spaces in areas across town, such as Henry Park, Heron Park, Stephen Decatur Park, and Burbage Park. Coneflowers and black-eyed Susans are among the flowers planted.
Committee member Victoria Spice said that the group strives to strike a balance between keeping the gardens effective, tidy, beautiful, and not too wild for Main Street. That means species like goldenrod, often unruly, are not to be planted in excess.
Perennials, plants that grow and come back each year, are prioritized to limit costs, and flora and fauna home to the area are preferred to exotic vegetation.
“We plant things specifically native to Maryland because they are more likely to thrive and grow,” member Georgianna McElroy said.
Chair Andrea Weeg echoed McElroy’s sentiments.
“Also, because of climate change, it is hotter and dryer and sometimes rainy; the native plants deal with it better,” she said.
Public works manages the gardens’ ongoing maintenance, which includes weekly watering and regular weeding. Last month, during the scheduled upkeep, the committee was delighted to find monarch butterfly caterpillars in the space, proving that the environmental initiative remains effective.
As summer ends and the gardens are officially established, the committee looks toward their fall priorities. Last week, the group planted flowering kale, ornamental pepper, and pink and purple Aster downtown to prepare Berlin for the changing season.
Spice also hopes the team will begin to focus on outreach and programming. Last year, the group raised money via a wreath-making activity and is looking to host a similar event, like seed starting, this winter to help residents prepare their gardens for spring.
The Horticulture Advisory Committee believes that the pollinator gardens have improved Berlin.
“Anytime you plant gardens, it is so eye-catching,” McElroy said. “It is a calming, beautiful territory.”
McElroy said that the town hopes to create a map soon with all the pollinator gardens numbered so Berlin residents and visitors can take a guided tour. The project is still in the works and might require grant funding to get off the ground.
Cutline:
One of the earliest beautification projects led by members the Berlin Horticulture Advisory Committee, pictured with volunteers, was the garden at Burbage Park on William Street.