There are three pollinator gardens at the library, each filled with a variety of native plants. (Some non-native plants are also included.) Plants are identified by their common and scientific names, and cultivar names when applicable. We invite you to explore the gardens and enjoy the plants and insects that they support. Please help us protect these spaces by staying on paths and avoiding touching the plants. A full list of plants featured in the gardens can be found at the link at the bottom of the page. Interested in getting involved? Join the Library Garden Club and help us care for the gardens while promoting the beauty and importance of native plants.
Florence Case Memorial Garden
The Florence Case Memorial Garden was created by Jane Case in memory of her mother. Jane Case is owner of Blue Moon Farm Perennials, a nursery specializing in native plants, in Wakefield, RI. The garden is found on the slope behind the library. Large arborvitae trees and ornamental shrubs overlook the garden. Visitors can walk up a stone path to view the plants inside and above. Those who make the journey will discover an interesting surprise.
Wild & Scenic Rivers Garden
In May 2022, volunteers from the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council transformed two-thirds of a large parking lot island at the library into a vibrant pollinator garden filled with native shrubs, grasses, and perennials. The project was led by Dave Prescott of Save the Bay and Nan Quinlan, Exeter’s representative to the Stewardship Council. This garden is part of a broader effort to educate the community about the benefits of native plants. By reducing the need for irrigation and eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, native plant gardens help protect our rivers and streams.
Wanda Rose Memorial Garden
In April 2025, the Friends of the Exeter Public Library dedicated a garden in memory of Wanda Rose, a longtime library supporter, Friends member, and avid gardener. This garden occupies the remaining third of the large parking lot island, complementing the adjacent pollinator garden planted in 2022. It features one native rose species and three David Austin roses, with native grasses and perennials filling out the rest of the space.