Name: Families Learning Science Together
Start: 2025-04-12T14:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-04-12T15:00:00-04:00
Location: Tompkins County Public Library

CCE Community Beautification Program

A map showing the exterior of Tompkins County Public Library and the Gardens that surround the ground. It includes the Cayuga Street plant, the South Extension Planter, Garden Bed and Statue Garden

Outside the walls of TCPL, a beautiful mix of flowers and foliage bring the beauty of nature to Downtown Ithaca.

Thanks to the work of volunteers with the CCE Community Beautification Program, blooms fill the planters between the sidewalks and the exterior of Tompkins County Public Library from late winter through the fall.

This illustration by volunteer Linda, who is instrumental in the planting and ongoing care for the garden beds, is a guide to understanding what types of plantings are currently surrounding the Library.

Click the image to enlarge.

ABOUT THE PLANTINGS

The CCE Community Beautification Program created the below educational guides. Click on each to enlarge and begin learning more about the wide variety of flora just outside the doors of Tompkins County Public Library.

Credit

Writing and Research: Alex Farrell
Editing: Janine Willis
Fact sheet design: Marissa Nolan

Ornamental Alliums. These bulbs bloom in spring or early summer after daffodils and tulips have faded. Each bulb puts out blade-like foliage at first and then a single stalk with one globe-like group of lavender colored flowers. Once the flower has completed its bloom and gone to seed, the whole plant begins to die back and goes dormant for the rest of the year. Many varieties are available that range in heights generally from 1-3 feet tall and bloom size from 1 to 12 inches in diameter. — Alliums

Asiatic Lilies are part of the Liliaceae family. They are hybrids bred from several lilies native to Japan. A wide variety of bloom colors are available including pink, orange, yellow, red, cream, white, lavender, and variegated. Flowers are 4-6 inches across blooming outward or upward from 2-5 ft tall stems. These lilies prefer at least 6 hours of sunlight daily and 1-2 inches of water weekly. Red Lily Leaf beetle is an invasive species that can cause defoliation if left unchecked. Toxic to cats and dogs. — Asiatic Lily

Astilbes are perennials that form a clump of fern like leaves. The flower structure extends above the foliage as feathery plumes of red, pink, or white formed from hundreds of tiny flowers. They are native to mountain ravines of Japan. They thrive best in partial shade in rich, moist soil. They have a slow growth rate, but they do spread via underground hizomes. Mature plants can be divided every 3-4 years to keep the plants vigorous. — Astilbe

Bee balm is a perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to Eastern North America and is naturally found growing in moist woods and along streambeds. Bee Balm has a long history of use as a medicinal plant by Indigenous peoples, used for its antiseptic qualities. It is also a well-loved garden staple for its fragrant foliage, flashy red flowers, and long bloom time. The flower heads are dense globes that put out bright red tubular petals that are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. — Bee Balm

Blazing Star, or Liatris, is a clump-forming perennial plant native to Eastern North America, naturally found in prairies or meadows. It is part of the Aster family of plants (Asteraceae). Blazing Star has grass-like foliage that sprouts from corms and is most recognizable for its tall bottle brush blooms of purple-pink flowers. The flower spike is made up of many small flowers that open in succession from the top down for a long bloom time in mid to late summer. — Blazing Star

This member of the milkweed family is native to North America and displays showy orange blooms that provide an abundance of nectar for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Like others milkweeds, it is host to Monarch and Queen caterpillars, and creates large seed pods that release silky tailed seeds. Unlike other milkweeds, this plant does not spread by rhizome nor has milky sap. New plants may take 2-3 years to fully establish themselves before putting out a full display of flowers. — Butterfly Weed

Caladium is a tropical perennial native to Brazil. Caladiums are grown primarily as foliage plants, known for their striking foliage with patterns of green, white, pink, and purple. However, they do produce sporadic blooms. Typically bloom stalks are removed to keep the plant's energy directed towards foliage. In northern climates, the tubers are dug up in the fall before the first frost and allowed to dry out. They are stored dry over winter to be replanted the following spring. — Caladium

Canna Lilies are not true lilies. These American tropical perennials grow large paddle shaped leaves on tall sturdy stems from large rhizomes. Many varieties have been cultivated. Their large foliage comes in colors of green, bronze, purple, and orange, some with variegation. The flowers are generally large, measuring 4-8 inches long, and come in colors of yellow, orange, pink, and red. Regular deadheading will keep them blooming continuously throughout the summer and into the fall. — Canna

Chives are a common culinary herb as well as a lovely addition to a garden. They are native to Europe and Asia and possibly North America- although there is some disagreement on whether it is truly native or naturalized. Chives grow as a clump of small bulbs that put up narrow cylindrical leaves. In late spring to early summer, they are topped with pale lavender colored pom poms of flowers that are favored by bees. The flowers and leaves are edible with a mild onion taste. — Chives

Echinacea purpurea is an herbaceous perennial in the daisy family (Asteraceae). It is native to North America and can be naturally found in prairies and meadows. While the species typically boasts a purpleish-pink flower, many cultivars are available in shades of white, yellow, red, and orange. The leaves and stems have a rough, hairy texture. The central disk is brown and spiny. Echinacea is long-lived and takes well to division and replanting. Plants generally self-seed in the garden. — Coneflower (Echinacea)

Crocus is a genus with over 80 species native to Europe and Asia. Most varieties seen in gardens tend to be hybrid varieties of Dutch origin. These tiny plants grow from corms and are one of the earliest flowering plants of the year, often peeking up through snow in late winter. The flowers have six petals that tend to be purple, white, or yellow. Each individual crocus is quite small, so in order to get large drifts of color, plant densely. — Crocus

Daffodils are bulbs in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They are widely considered to be one of the most cheerful flowers of spring. Daffodils are grown in temperate climates around the world, and its popularity has led to production of many varieties. Daffodils are perennials that will return year after year and multiply for loads of spring color. — Daffodils

Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous perennials native to Mexico and Central America. They are grown for their spectacular flowers which range from 2 to 10 inches wide, come in almost every color, and have a wide variety of forms. Dahlias are considered to be high-maintenance plants, requiring some care to get the most of their splendid blooms. They benefit from a sunny spot in rich, fertile soil. — Dahlia

Hemerocallis, or Daylilies, are herbaceous perennials in the Hemerocallidaceae family native to Asia. There are more than 80,000 cultivars available. The botanical name is derived from the Greek for beauty (hemera) and day (kallos), referring to the fact that each flower only blooms for a single day. Because there are many buds on each of the numerous flower stalks, daylilies can bring lots of color to the summer border. — Daylilies

Fritillaria meleagris is a bulbous perennial native to river flood plains in Europe. The plants have a loose, open growth habit with slender foliage. The downward-facing, bell-shaped flowers appear mid spring on upright stems. Fritillaria have a distinct checkerboard pattern in colors of reddish purple. Fritillaria thrives in rich, well drained, consistently moist soil and in dappled shade. The foliage will die back before the summer heat but won't leave a large open gap to fill in the garden bed. — Fritillaria

Gladiolus papilio is a perennial in the Iris family (Iridaceae). It is native to wetlands and marshes of South Africa, but it thrives well in ordinary garden soil. Gladioli grow from corms, which are swollen, underground stems. The common name of Gladiolus is Sword Lily, which refers to the sword-shaped foliage sent up from the corm. Flowers develop on alternate sides of the graceful, arching stems. The flowers are nodding, bell shaped and usually white to light purple. Gladioli are not cold hardy. — Gladiola

Muscari armeniacum are flowering bulbs in the Lily (Liliaceae) family native to the Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. Their common name, Grape Hyacinth, comes from the small, bell-shaped flowers that resemble upside-down clusters of grapes. Muscari begins growing in the early spring with grass-like foliage, soon followed by flowers. After flowering, the foliage dies back in early summer. In the fall, the foliage may start growing again as the weather cools-it will persist where winters are mild. — Grape Hyacinth

Hollyhocks are tall, herbaceous plants in the mallow family, originating from Asia and Europe. Alcea rosea is a common garden variety. Hollyhocks have a range of flower colors, from deep reds and purples to lighter pinks, yellows, and whites. They are biennial, taking one year for growth and establishment (including a deep taproot) then flowering in the second year before dying fully. Hollyhocks persist in the garden through self-seeding. They bloom in mid to late summer, opening a few flowers at a time. — Hollyhock

Hosta is a genus of perennial plants native to northeast Asia. They are widely cultivated for their shade-tolerant foliage rather than their flowers. Many varieties of leaf colors, shapes, sizes, and textures have been bred, and whole plant sizes range from miniature to giants. Hosta grows as a clump and will maintain a maximum size once reached. The flowers are generally lavender or white trumpets and bloom on stalks much taller than the leaves. Hosta flowers can attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds — Hosta

Common Hyacinth is a perennial bulb native to southwestern Asia. It is an early spring bulb, putting out its foliage and flowers before the trees above spread their leaves. Each bulb sends up a few lance-shaped leaves and one central spike of sweetly fragrant flowers. The flowers are tubular, with six petals that curve back to form a star shape. Colors are generally deep purple, blue-violet, or varying shades of pink. Hyacinth returns to dormancy after it has finished flowering. — Hyacinth

Bearded Iris is an herbaceous perennial in the Iris family (Iridaceae), thought to originate from the Mediterranean region. There are thousands of different cultivars available in a variety of colors and heights. Bearded iris spread by means of underground stems called rhizomes. They thrive in full sun conditions and are highly tolerant of dry soils and drought. Bearded iris actually prefer drier conditions; they can easily rot in areas that are too wet or not well- drained. — Iris

Lamb's Ear

Lupinus perennis is a perennial native to eastern North America in the legume family (Fabaceae). Lupine has a unique look with its palmate leaves each with 9-16 lance shaped leaflets that radiate out from the center. The flowers form in late spring on large upright spikes with dense clusters of pea-shaped, blue-violet blossoms. Many hybrids have been developed that perform better as ornamentals in gardens. — Lupine

Silene chalcedonica, formerly designated as Lychnis chalcedonica, has many common names, including Maltese Cross. Its native range spans from Eastern Europe across Siberia to China. Its native habitat is typically moist forest meadows and shrublands. Maltese Cross is a popular ornamental plant grown for its dense round clusters of scarlet flowers. Gardeners find it easy to grow, with no serious problems. Full sun is best for blooms. Consider planting in a location sheltered from wind. — Maltese Cross

Mexican sunflower is a large bushy plant native to Mexico and Central America. In its native range it can be quite invasive, however it is grown as an annual in climates with colder winters. This is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in poor soil. It is drought tolerant once established, and is mostly unbothered by pests. Full sun and good drainage are its main requirements, although it will also appreciate shelter from excessive wind. Mexican sunflowers can grow to be very large, up to six feet tall. — Mexican Sunflower

Verbascum is a genus of over 450 species native to Europe and Asia, commonly referred to as Mulleins. Verbascum thapsus (Great mullein) and Verbascum blattaria (Moth mullein) were introduced to North America in the 1800s. Verbascum are biennial plants. Their first year they make a rosette of leaves, and their second year they flower on a central tall stem packed densely with flowers. They tend to have deep taproots, quickly colonize disturbed sites, and are happy growing in poor soil. — Mullein

Nasturtium is native to South America, originating in the Andes. In North America it is generally grown as an annual. It is known for its characteristic circular, lily pad shaped leaves. The flowers are usually bright orange or yellow with five broad petals and a long spur on the back. The above-ground parts Nasturtium are edible and have a peppery taste similar to watercress. They are easy to grow, don't need rich soil, and can tolerate some drought and neglect. — Nasturtium

Oriental poppy is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial native to Central Asia. The foliage is serrate and thistle-like, covered in bristly hairs. The flowers begin as nodding, oval shaped pods that stretch upright and open to reveal a 4 to 6-inch cup shaped bloom. The flowers are large, usually red or orange, with a darker blotch at the base. Many varieties have been cultivated that sport a wider range of colors than the standard red or orange. — Oriental Poppy

Garden Phlox is a perennial native to parts of Eastern United States. Its original habitat has been in moist low woods and along stream banks, but it was brought into gardens for its showy, fragrant, long-lasting blooms. The flowers are generally pink-purple to white, but many cultivars have been bred for variations on these colors. Taller varieties benefit from staking; their large clusters of blooms may flop if not supported. Phlox may suffer in hot and humid summer weather. — Garden Phlox

Rudbeckia, commonly called Black-Eyed Susan, is an herbaceous perennial in the aster family (Asteraceae). It is native to North America, naturally occurring in prairies and meadows. There are 25 different species of Rudbeckia, but the most common species in garden settings are usually Rudbeckia fulgida and Rudbeckia hirta. Rudbeckia fulgida is considered a long-lived perennial that spreads by rhizome and has smaller flowers than Rudbeckia hirta. It spreads easily, creating large swaths of cheerful blooms. — Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan)

Salvia is a genus of plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Salvias are native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. The salvia grown here in our garden is most likely Salvia x sylvestris, which is a hybrid cross of two other species of Salvia. Salvia blooms in the late spring through early summer, with spikes of purple flowers along upright stems. After flower stalks have bloomed and turn brown, plants can be cut back by about 1/3 or their original size, which will keep the plant tidy. — Salvia

Galanthus are small, early blooming perennial bulbs in the Amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae). They are native to southern Europe and southwestern Asia but have naturalized widely and are very popular in the northern United States. The common name, Snowdrops, refers to the plant's early bloom time in late winter and early spring, when snow can still be present. Snowdrops have nodding, bell-shaped flowers with six petal-like sepals arranged in two circles. The inner sepals often have green markings. — Snowdrops

Spanish bluebell is a perennial bulb native to Spain, Portugal, and Northern Africa. It is an early spring bulb that will complete its flowering and go dormant by early summer. Each bulb puts up 2-6 strap shaped leaves before sending up a stalk with nodding bell-shaped flowers in colors of blue, pink, white, or lavender. This plant will easily naturalize and spread via bulbs underground. This spreading habit has earned Spanish Bluebells a reputation for invasiveness. — Spanish Bluebell

Species Tulips is a common name for a grouping of wild tulip species. Most tulips seen in gardens are hybrid varieties bred for large, showy blooms. There are about 76 species of tulips that are native to North Africa, Central Asia, and Southwestern Europe where they are found growing on dry slopes of mountains and valleys. Species Tulips are smaller and more delicate than hybrid tulips, but they are more likely to reliably come back and flower year after year. — Species Tulips

Sunflowers are an annual plant native to North America, where they have been cultivated for thousands of years. They are commonly used as ornamental plants, but they can also be harvested for seeds, oil, and dyes. There are many varieties of sunflowers with a range of different heights, colors, and flower forms. Sunflowers attract many different pollinators searching for nectar as well as birds that enjoy the seeds. There are some varieties that are specifically bred to be pollenless. — Sunflowers

Tulips are a widely cultivated spring bulb. Native to Central Asia, the wild predecessors would grow on rocky mountain slopes with cold harsh winters and hot dry summers. Tulip cultivation has led to over 3,000 varieties being bred with differing heights, a rainbow of different colors and patterns, and interesting bloom shapes. Plant in the fall for spring time blooms in April and May. Leave the foliage up until fully yellowed before trimming back so that the bulb can store all the energy it needs. — Tulips

Virgina Spiderwort is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native to Eastern North America where it would be found naturally in moist prairies and open woodlands. The whole plant grows as a mound of central stems with leaves that are long narrow blades folded lengthwise. The flowers are violet blue to purple, with three petals, and contrasting yellow stamens. They bloom in succession of a few flowers at a time with each flower only lasting a day. — Spiderwort

Salutation Seed Library

An image showing an old-style card catalog which is home to the TCPL Salutations Seed Library

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Families Learning Science Together

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Children ages 5 and up and their families are invited to a free science program co-hosted by Chemists for Outreach and Graduate Inclusion (CoRGi) at Cornell University.

Science Fair with the Steminist Movement

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Join the Steminist Movement at Cornell for an exciting series of interactive science fairs for young minds!

Science Fair with the Steminist Movement

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Library Branch: Tompkins County Public Library

Room: Thaler/Howell Programming Room

Age Group: Families, Kids

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Join the Steminist Movement at Cornell for an exciting series of interactive science fairs for young minds!

Families Learning Science Together

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Children ages 5 and up and their families are invited to a free science program co-hosted by Chemists for Outreach and Graduate Inclusion (CoRGi) at Cornell University.

0-60 Get Growing Challenge & Seed Swap

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A power-packed 1-hour class to kickstart your garden with confidence! Covering location, soil, and garden setup, this session is designed to take you from zero to growing—fast.

Sciencenter Live Animal Show

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Join the Sciencenter to meet snakes, lizards, and invertebrates, learn about animal adaptations, and explore how researchers use biomimicry to help solve problems!